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NatKl  C. Fowler,  J 


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in  2007  with  funding  from 

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"To-day's  Boy  is  To-morrow's  Man" 

The  Boy 

How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


A  Symposium  of  Successful 
Experiences 

By  Nathaniel  C.  Fowler,  Jr. 

Assisted  by 

Three  Hundred  and  Nineteen  American  Men 
of  Marked  Accomplishment 


MofFat,  Yard  and  Company 
New  York  i  9  i  2 


Copyright,    1902, 
By  Nathaniel  C.   Fowler,  Jr. 


*?%:;■;■:]: 


J 


Just  a  Word 

**  By  way  of  preface  " 

WORD  pictures  of  experience  —  some 
of  the  little  things  I  have  learned 
to  know — many  of  the  great  things  others 
know  they  know  —  helps  from  helpers  — 
conveniently  served  for  profitable  taking. 


304016 


Be  yourself  —  your  whole  self  — 
you  can't  be  more — you  shouldn't 
be  less. 

Maximum  your  goods  —  mini- 
mum your  bads. 

Find  your  best  self — feed  it, 
train  it,  work  it,  rest  it,  grow  it 
into  the  full  bloom  of  your  char- 
acter-flower. 


Table  of  Contents 

"What's  in  it" 


CHAPTER   I  Page 

The  Elements  of  Success    .....       11 

A  study  of  what  it  is,  and  the  winning  of  it.  Success  analyzed 
by  experience. 

CHAPTER  n 
The  Starting  of  the  Boy 15 

The  all-importance  of  right-starting;  its  economy  and  its 
advantages. 

CHAPTER  HI 
The  Boy  at  School      .         ,         .         .         .         .25 

The  beginning  of  his  real  youthhood ;  the  basic  training  for 
life. 

CHAPTER  IV 
Good  and  Poor  Scholars      .....       80 

What  the  school  is  intrinsically  doing  for  the  boy,  not  the 
rank  it  gives  him. 

CHAPTER  V 
Higher  Education        ......       35 

Shall  it  be  college  or  business  ?  Shall  the  boy  develop  his 
intellect,  before  putting  it  at  money-earning  ?  The  advan- 
tages and  disadvantages  of  higher  education,  viewed  side 
by  side. 

CHAPTER  VI 
Social  Associates         ......       40 

The  makers  and  breakers  of  youth.  The  incalculable  value 
of  proper  associations. 

CHAPTER  VII 
Starting  at  Work         ......       45 

The  opening  of  the  boy's  real  life.  The  beginning  of  financial 
responsibility. 

CHAPTER  VIII 
Business  or  Profession  ?.....       49 

The  two  great  branches  of  livelihood's  tree.  What  is  the 
will  of  Nature  ? 


6  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

CHAPTER  IX  Page 

Working  for  Himself  .....       54 

The  employee  works  for  himself  when  he  faithfully  works 
for  others. 

CHAPTER  X 
In  Business  for  Himself       .....       56 

Shall  it  be  for  wage  or  salary,  or  for  himself  by  himself  ? 

CHAPTER  XI 
Employer  and  Employee     .....       59 

The  two  great  factors  of  trade;  their  relation  to  each  other. 

CHAPTER  XII 
Parents       ........       61 

Their  places,   their  duties,    their    opportunities,  and  their 
responsibilities. 

CHAPTER  XIII 
At  Home  or  Away       ......       66 

The  home-town,  or  away  from  it.   How  shall  the  boy  choose  ? 

CHAPTER  XIV 
Money        ........       71 

Its  almighty  power;  its  danger,  and  its  use. 

CHAPTER  XV 
Little  Things 75 

There  is  no  such  thing  as  a  little  thing,  for  all  things  are  great. 

CHAPTER  XVI 

Vacillation  .         .         .         .         .         .         .77 

Be  steady;  be  steadfast;  beware  of  moves  and  changes. 

CHAPTER  XVII 
Odd  Times 79 

In  them  lurks  many  an  opportunity. 

CHAPTER  XVIII 
Honesty      .  .         .         .         .         .         .         .81 

Its  all-important  place  in  success-making. 

CHAPTER  XIX 
Self-Respect  and  Self-Conceit      ....       85 

Two  of  the  muscles  of  success.    Their  relative  position  and 
value. 


Table  of  Contents  7 

CHAPTER  XX  Page 

Continuity  .         .         .         .         .         .         .88 

The  strength  of  continuous  action ;  the  danger  of  the  change 
and  the  stop. 

CHAPTER  XXI 
Profitable  Oneness       ......       90 

One  good  thing  is  worth  a  dozen  poor  ones. 

CHAPTER  XXII 
Economy  and  Saving 92 

Necessary  to  all  accomplishment.    Two    of  the  **  vitals  of 
success-making." 

CHAPTER  XXIII 
The  Good-for-Nothing 96 

Make  him  good  for  something. 

CHAPTER  XXIV 
Keep  on  the  Line         ...•••       98 

The  safety  of  caution. 

CHAPTER  XXV 
Luck 99 

The  use  and  the  abuse  of  it. 

CHAPTER  XXVI 
Appearances       .......     101 

As  we  seem,  so  may  we  be  taken  to  be.    The  importance  of 
proper  presentation. 

CHAPTER  XXVII 
Health 103 

Many  facts  and  suggestions.    There  can  be  no  real  success 
without  it. 

CHAPTER  XXVIII 
Giving  and  Taking  Advice  .         .         •         .     Ill 

Two  of  the  essentials  of  progress. 

CHAPTER  XXIX 
Promptness 114 

Its  great  consequences  in  successful  endeavor. 

CHAPTER  XXX 
Undesirable  Habits      ......     115 

The  economical  getting  rid  of  them. 


8  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

CHAPTER  XXXI  Page 

Courage 117 

Real  and  false  bravery. 

CHAPTER  XXXn 
Harmony    ........     119 

•'  Now  all  together  for  a  successful  pull." 

CHAPTER  XXXin 
Politeness  .......     121 

A  commodity  of  business;  an  element  of  success-making. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV 
The  Farm  122 

Its  exalted  posit  jn;  its  rightful  place  in  business;  its  true 
importance. 

CHAPTER  XXXV 
Exercise     .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .     125 

Its  essentiality  and  its  sensible  and  rational  use. 

CHAPTER  XXXVI 
Great  Boys  and  Smart  Boys         ....     127 

The  difference  between  greatness  and  smartness. 

CHAPTER  XXXVII 
Something  for  Nothing        ....         .     128 

The  compensativeness  of  work  and  business.  The  mutuality 
of  successful  endeavor. 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII 
A  Symposium  of  Success    .         .         .         .         .     130 

A  recapitulation  of  the  facts  and  opinions  presented  by  the 
three  hundred  and  nineteen  Men  of  Mark.  This  chapter  pre- 
sents, in  easy  tabulated  form,  a  summary  of  "The  Voice  of 
Distinguished  Experience." 

CHAPTER  XXXIX 
The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience       .         .164 

The  specially  written  experience  and  opinion  of  three  hun- 
dred and  nineteen  of  America's  greatest  men  of  successful 
accomplishment.  The  answers  to  twenty-five  vital  ques- 
tions, a  grand  total  of  several  thousand  direct  and  definite 
expressions  of  opinion  and  experience,  on  the  preparation 
for,  and  the  making  of,  success  by  men  of  superlative  suc- 
cess and  distinguished  earners  of  successful  result.  Upon 
the  following  pages  is  an  alphabetically  arranged  index:  — 


Table  of  Contents  9 

Alphabetical  Index 

To  Chapter,  entitled,  "  The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  " 


Abbott,  Alex.  C.  .  264 

Adams,  Chas.  E.  .  314 

Adams,  Sam'l  S.  .  204 

Aiken,  Wm.  M.  .  .  221 

Aishton,  R.  H.  .  .  283 

Akeley,  Healy  C.  .  304 

Alderson,  V.  C. .  .  226 

Aldrich,  O.  W.  .  .  313 

Allerton,  S.  W.  .  .  254 

Alvord,  William  .  238 

Andrews,  B.  W.  .  230 

Angell,  James  B.  .  208 

Ashmun,  Geo.  C.  .  287 

Atkinson,  W.  B.  .  315 

Atwood,  Chas.  E.  .  257 

Austin,  Oscar  P.  .  276 

Aylesworth,  A.  B. .  319 


Baker,  W.  E.  .  .  296 
Baker,  Wm.  T.  .  .  271 
Baldwin,  Dan'l  P.  .  296 
Baldwin,  Jas.  F.  .  294 
Baldwin,  Jr.,  W.  H.  292 
Bancroft,  E.  A.  .  .  255 
Bancroft,  Wm.  A.  .  219 
Barber,  Ohio  C.  .  177 
Barbour,  Geo.  H.  .  301 
Bard,  Thomas  R.  .  183 
Bardeen,  Chas.  V. .  188 
Barnes,  Oliver  W. .  297 
Bartlett,  Henry  .  284 
Barton,  James  L.  .  297 
Bayliss,  Alfred  .  .  220 
Beardslee,  L.  A.  .  238 
Bell,  Clark  ...  197 
Berg,  Walter  G.  .  295 
Berliner,  Emil  .  .  279 
Bernays,  Aug.  C.  .  205 
Bigelow,  Edw.  F.  .  279 
Bingham,  Theo.  A.  308 
Bitting,  W.  C.  .  .  224 
Blackford,  E.  G.  .  286 
Blair,  Henry  W.  .  272 
Blake,  Francis  .  .  307 
Blakely,  A.  R.  .  .  243 
Boggs,  Carroll  C.  .  202 
Bolton,  Chas.  K.  .  226 
Bookstaver,  H.  W.  190 
Booth,  Ballington .  225 
Booth-Tucker,  F.  .  298 
Borden,  Thos.J.  .  248 
Bostwick,  A.  E.  .  319 
Boyle,  John  J.    .    .  284 


Bradbury,  W.  F.  .294 
Bradford,  A.  H.  .265 
Bradley,  Milton  .  291 
Brantly,  Theo.  .  .  300 
Breckinridge,  J.  C.  172 
Brewster,  C.  B.  .  .  276 
Brinkerhoflf,  R.  .  .  286 
Brown,  A.  B.  .  .  .  317 
Brown,  Elisha  R.  .  308 
Brown,  George  F. .  234 
Bryan,  Thos.  B.  .  178 
Buck,  Dudley  .  .  288 
Buckingham,  M.  S.  239 
Bulkeley,  M.  G.  .  .  220 
Burbank,  Luther  .  290 
Burdick,  Joel  W.  .  223 
Burford,  John  H.  .  245 
Burgess,  F.  E.  .  .  264 
Burke,  Milo  D.  .  .  275 
Burpee,  E  R.  .  .  262 
Burt,  Horace  G.  .  181 
Bush-Brown,  H.  K.  216 
Butler,  Edw.  B.  .  249 
Byford,  H.  T.     .    .  199 


Cable,  George  W.  .  171 
Cadman,  Sam'l  P.  .  274 
Caldwell,  Alex.  .  219 
Callaway,  Sam'l  R.  220 
Cameron,  Frank  K.  221 
Campbell,  John  .  .  289 
Campbell,  John  L.  .  272 
Campbell,  Wm.  W.  207 
Canfield,  Jas.  H.  .  186 
Capen,  Elmer  H.  .  257 
Capen,  Samuel  B.  .  192 
Cassoday,  J.  B.  .  .  217 
Chamberlam,  P.  M.  281 
Chapman,  John  H. .  292 
Cherrie,  George  K.  238 
Clark,  Francis  E.  .  209 
Clark,  Joseph  B.  .  303 
Clark,  William  B.  .  227 
Clark,  William  T.  .  259 
Clews,  Henry  .  .  170 
Cody,  William  F.  .  281 
Coffin,  C.  A.  .  .  .306 
Cole,  Chester  C.  .  231 
Conover,  Frank  B.  313 
Converse,  John  H. .  207 
Conwell,  R.  H.  .  .  283 
Corbin,  C.  C.  .  .  .  242 
Couden,  Henry  N. .  285 


Cox,  William  R.  .  279 
Craig,  Hugh  .  .  .191 
Craig,  William  .  .  247 
Crapo,  William  W.  182 
Crozier,  William  .  261 
Crunden,  Fred.  M.  174 
Curry,  S.  S.    .    .    .  231 


Dabney,  Chas.  W. .  288 
Dalton,  Samuel .  .  212 
Dana,  John  C.  .  .  302 
D  ^a,  Paul  ...  182 
Da  Kington,  Jos.  G.  238 
Davis,  Jefiferson  .  241 
Dawson,  Edw.  S.  .  258 
DeBoer,  Jos.  A.  .  267 
Dickey,  Chas.  A.  .  254 
Dickie,  Geo.  W.  .  .  277 
Dillon,  John  F.  .  .  290 
Ditchett,  S.  H.  .  .  232 
Doremus,  E.  O. .  .  246 
Douglas,  Wm.  L.  .  320 
Dryden,  John  F.  .  175 
Dudley,  Chas.  R.  .  300 
Duggar,  John  F.  .  193 
Dunn,  Gano  S.  .  .  274 
Dunne,  M.  D.  .  .  278 
Dunnels,  A.  Fred. .  293 


Eastman,  Sam'l  C.  260 
Edmunds,  H.  R.  .  229 
Eliot,  Charles  W.  .  170 
Ely,  Theodore  N.  .  229 


Farquhar,  N.  H. 
Farwell,  Chas.  B. 
Fletcher,  John  G. 
Flint,  Charles  R. 
Francis,  Geo.  B. 
Fuertes,  E.  A.    . 
Fuller,  Howard  G. 
Fuller,  Ransom  S. 
Furnas,  Elwood 


219 
296 
266 
169 
248 
189 
276 

314 
210 


Gage,  William  B.  .  234 

Gary,  Eugene  B.  .  289 

Gates,  John  W.  .  .  283 

Gay,  George  W.  .  245 

George,  Wm.  R.  .  228 

Gibson,  Rob't  W.  .  205 

Gifford,  O.  P.      .  .  234 

Gifford,  Wm.  L.  R.  281 

Gillispie,  Geo.  L.  .  312 


lo  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Glenn,  G.  R    .    .  .  212 

Goodnow,  C.  A,  .  285 

Greene,  Jacob  L.  .  265 

Greenleaf,  C.  H.  .  222 

Guild,  Jr.,  Curtis  .  270 

Gunnell,  F.  M.    .  .  204 

Gunnison,  H.  F.  .  250 


Hadley,  Arthur  T.  208 
Hamilton,  John  T.  244 
Harper,  Wm.  R.  .  188 
Harrison,  Chas.  C.  203 
Hendrix,  Joseph  C.  200 
Herreid,  Chas.  N.  .  307 
Higgins,  J.  W.  .  .  209 
Hill,  Frank  P.  .  .  288 
Hill,  John  F.  .  .  .  180 
Hill,  Walker  ...  244 
Hinman,  Geo.  W.  .  208 
Houghton,  fjohn  C.  211 
Howard,  Oliver  O. .  311 
Howland,  Oliver  A.  214 
Howland,  Wm.  B.  .  229 
Hunn,  John  .  .  .  206 
Hyde,  Wm.  DeW. .  299 

Jefferson,  Chas.  E.  253 

Jefferson,  Joseph  .  185 

Jeflfery,  Edw.  T.     .  282 

Johnstone,  E.  R.    .  226 

Jones,  Charles  H.  .  271 

[ones,  Gardner  M. .  315 

fordan,  David  S.    .  177 

Tordan,  L.  B.      .    .  242 

^uhring,  John  C.     .  246 


Keith,  B.  F.  .  .  .  237 
Keith,  Elbridge  G.  .  267 
Kellogg,  J.  H.  .  .  235 
Kimball,  Geo.  A.  .  276 
Knowlton,  H.  M.     .  269 


Landon,  Thos.  H.  .  284 
Lansing,  Isaac  J.  .  251 
Lamed,  Jos.  N.  .  .  263 
Lauterbach,  Edw.  .  184 
Lemly,  Sam'l  C.  .  186 
Lincoln,  Wm.  H.  .  206 
Lomax,  Edw.  L.  .  250 
Longenecker,  J.  M.  252 


MacArthur,  R.  S.  -  194 
Macbeth,  Geo.  A.  .  272 
Macfarland,H.B.F.  320 
Manley,  Jos.  H. .  .  240 
Martin,  T.  C. .  .  .  253 
Maxwell,  Wm.  H.  .  216 
McCall,  John  A.  .  168 
McFarlin,  W.  K.  .  319 
McKelway,St.Clair  195 
McLane,  J.  W.    .    .  249 


McLeish,  Andrew  .  247 

Mehaffey,  G.  W.     .  278 

Melville,  Geo.  W.  .  180 

Mersman,  J.  H.  .    .  241 

Mickleborough,  J. .  212 
Miller,  Roswell .     .211 

Mitchell,  John    .    .  311 

Mitchell,  John  A.   .  193 

Money,  H.  D.     .    .  262 

Montague,  A.  J.      .  200 

Moody,  Wm.  H.      .  184 

Moody,  Wm.  R. .    .  316 

Moore,  Francis  C. .  318 

Moore,  James  E.     .  259 

Moore,  John  B.  .    .  291 

Moore,  Joseph  B.    .  227 

Morley,  Frank     .    .  241 

Morse,  Dan'l  P.  .     .  290 

Morris,  E.  B.  .    .    .  186 

Mowry,  Wm.  A.     .  252 

Munford,  Thos.  T.  239 

Murphy,  John  B.    .  217 

Murray,  Robert      .  250 


Nelson,  C.  Kinloch  249 
Nichols,  Jason  E.  .  264 
Nott,  Charles  C.     .  228 


Ogden,  Robert  C.  .  173 


Parkhurst,  C.  H. 
Patterson,  T.  M. 
Paxson,  L.  B.      . 
Peirce,  H.  H.  D. 
Pettigrew,  R.  F. 
Phillips,  G.  A.    . 
Phinney,  Jos.  W. 
Piatt,  Charles     . 
Pope,  Albert  A. 
Pope,  Edward  W. 
Potter,  W.  F.      . 
Pratt,  Frederic  B. 
Pratt,. Ralph  E. 


173 
191 

313 
233 
310 
261 
230 
269 
204 

215 
262 
261 
282 


Quackenbos,  J.  D. .  170 
Quarles,  Joseph  V.  303 
Quarles,  Ralph  P.  .  305 


Radcliffe,  Wallace  289 
Randolph,  J.  C.  F. .  271 
Ransom,  Rastus  S.  222 
Raven,  A.  A.  .  .  213 
Revell,  Alex.  H.  .  310 
Reynolds,  A.  R.  .  209 
Rice,  Joseph  M.  .  226 
Rice,  William  B.  .  207 
Richards,DeForest  270 
Ricketts,  P.  C.  .  .  305 
Riddell,  Wm.  R.  .  314 
Riis,  Jacob  A.    .    .  184 


Robinson,  D.  A.     .  259 
Robson,  Stuart .    .  214 


Savage,  Ezra  P.  .  201 
Saxton,  Chas.  T.  .  187 
Schaeffer,  N.  C.  .  270 
Schroers,  John  .  .  309 
Scott,  Nathan  B.  .  233 
Sears,  Francis  B.  .  260 
Seaver,  Edwin  P.  .  183 
Seward,  Geo.  F.  .  181 
Shaw,  Joseph  A.  .  252 
Shepard,  John  .  .  293 
Simmons,  J.  Edw.  .  200 
Simonton,  C.  H.  .  185 
Slack,  Charles  H.  .  275 
Sloane,  John  .  .  .  213 
Smith,  Bryan  H.  .  240 
Smith,  Charles  E.  .  168 
Smith,  C.  W.  .  .  .280 
Sousa,  John  P.  .  .  199 
Spencer,  Jr.,  A.  .  266 
Staples,  Orsen  G.  .  316 
Stevens,  Geo.  W.  .  210 
Stevens,  Harold  W.  243 
Stevenson,  W.  M.  .  244 
Straus,  Isidor  .  .  316 
Sullivan,  LA.    .    .  216 


Tarbell,  H.  S.  . 
Taylor,  Chas.  H. 
Thompson,  J.  W. 
Thomson,  John  . 
Tobey,  Frank  B. 
Toltz,  Max  .  . 
Tomlinson,  A.  H. 
Trumbull,  H.  C. 
Tucker,  Wm.  J.  . 
Turner,  Chas.  Y. 


.  262 
.  208 
.  225 
.  201 

.  303 
.  266 
.  302 
•  255 
.  291 
.  241 


Underwood,  F.  D. .  189 
Utley,  Henry  M.     .  300 


Vincent,  M.  R. 


268 


Waitt,  Arthur  M.  .  309 

Wallace,  Wm.  J.      .  254 

Warner,  Lucien  C.  318 

Weston,  John  F.     .  258 

Wheeler,  Benj.  I.    .  266 

Wheeler,  Edw.  J.    .  179 

White,  Albert  B.    .  273 

Whitelaw,  O.  L.     .  304 
Wight,  John  G.  .    .263 

Wilgus,  W.  J.      .    .  195 

Willcox,  E.  S.     .    .  301 

Williams,  Chas.  R.  253 

Williams,  Geo.  G.  .  182 

Woodbridge,  S.  H.  211 
Wright,  A.  W.    .    .285 


The  Elements  of  Success 

**  Let's  knock  at  Mystery's  gate,  and  beg  a  hearing  " 

SUCCESS  seems  to  be  a  psychological  state  or  con- 
dition, as  invisible  as  electricity,  no  less  an  ac- 
tuality, and  as  positive  as  gravity,  a  permanent  or 
transient  inhabitant  of  every  plane  of  Endeavor's 
everywhere. 

The  dictionarian  may  refuse  to  consider  success 
other  than  the  favorable  and  profitable  termination  of 
the  thing  attempted,  the  satisfactory  issue  of  effort,  the 
ending  corresponding  with  the  aim  and  desire  enter- 
tained. 

Luck  is  not  analogous  with  success.  Luck  is  the 
result  of  chance.     Success  is  the  product  of  intention. 

The  psychological  composition  of  success  may  be  an 
unknown  quantity  in  the  laboratory  of  business,  profes- 
sion, or  labor,  but  the  action  of  success,  or  successful 
action,  is  a  part  of  the  daylight  of  accomplishment. 

The  result  of  successful  endeavor,  and  the  action 
accomplishing  it,  are  definite  enough  for  experiment. 

*«  As  others  have  done,  so  may  I  do,"  is  Possibility's 
motto  of  encouragement. 

He  who  would  build  buildings,  if  he  would  build  them 
well,  must  learn  of  building  builders,  and  study  their 
models,  their  work,  their  personal  characteristics,  and 
their  results. 

The  likes,  the  dislikes,  the  methods,  the  ways,  and 
the  principles  of  men  of  success  may  furnish  Experi- 
ence's general  practical  guide  to  success-making. 

In  the  arithmetic  of  life,  ability  plus  opportunity 
equals  success. 

A  study  into  the  composition  of  success  and  failure 
indicates  that  the  sign  of  success  is  engraved  upon  the 
intellect,  and  not  upon  the  palm  or  the  face,  and  that 


12    *   'The  Bdy-^'How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

the' accbmplislimetit'Cif'^. success  is  due  as  much  to  effort 
and  environment  as  to  original  or  inherited  ability. 

There  are  laws  in  everything,  —  laws  of  Nature,  laws 
of  nations,  laws  of  health,  laws  of  success. 

The  law  of  average  is  safer  to  follow  than  the  rule 
of  exception. 

The  hard  proof  of  fact  unqualifiedly  says  that,  while 
birth  counts,  inheritance  is  but  a  factor  in  the  finished 
result. 

All  the  energy  in  the  world,  concentrated  into  an 
individual  engine,  will  not  carry  the  train  unless  there 
be  a  road-bed  and  a  track.  The  start  must  be  made, 
the  pace  must  be  kept  up,  and  surrounding  conditions 
have  much  to  do  with  its  progress. 

A  percentage  of  our  boys  do  but  little  better  than 
exist,  partly  because  few  of  them  have  started  right, 
and  because  few  of  them  have  kept  themselves,  or  have 
been  kept,  within  the  path  leading  to  success. 

The  world  is  full  of  pairs  of  success  and  failure. 
One  is  successful,  because  he  has  energy  and  oppor- 
tunity ;  the  other  is  a  failure,  because  his  opportunity 
does  not  meet  his  energy,  or  his  energy  does  not  find 
his  opportunity ;  and  yet  both  are  born  and  reared  in 
the  ^same  home  atmosphere,  feed  upon  the  same  meat, 
and  live  within  grasping  distance  of  the  same  oppor- 
tunity. What  does  one  possess  which  is  not  possessed 
by  the  other?  Apparently,  both  are  equal,  and  both 
would  seem  to  have  equal  chance  in  the  fight  for  success. 

It  is  the  business  of  the  father  and  the  mother,  the 
teacher,  and  the  friend,  to  start  the  boy  in  the  line  of 
his  apparent  ability  and  inclination,  if  these  be  reason- 
able and  sensible. 

The  boy  should  be  studied  from  the  day  of  his  birth, 
and  every  action  and  every  inclination  should  be  re- 
corded in  the  minds  of  love,  that  the  framing  of  that 
boy's  house  of  success  may  be  begun  at  once,  and  that  the 
boy  may  know  enough  to  manage  it  when  he  comes 
to  the  care-taking  age. 


The  Elements  of  Success  13 

Starting  right  is  worth  nothing  without  keeping  right ; 
but  if  the  start  is  not  right,  years  of  labor  may  be  neces- 
sary to  break  down  the  handicap  of  a  misdirected 
beginning. 

There  never  was  a  boy  worth  the  feeding  who  did 
not  present  to  a  close  observer  some  indication  of  a 
fitness  for  something.  This  fitness,  or  inclination,  soon 
crystallizes  into  an  action,  and  this  action  soon  creates  a 
definite  desire,  which  in  its  turn  builds  up  a  proficiency 
for  some  one  thing  for  which  the  boy  is  naturally 
adapted. 

This  is  an  age  of  specialists.  The  Jack  of  all  trades 
is  the  jackass  of  all  trades.  No  one  can  do  two  things 
equally  well.  The  best  shoemaker  is  a  far  better  man 
than  the  poor  preacher,  and  the  proficient  housekeeper 
is  a  much  more  valuable  contributor  to  civilization  than 
is  the  lifeless  writer  of  wordy  literature. 

Study  the  boy ;  watch  the  boy ;  analyze  each  action 
and  inclinatiou.  Do  not  force  him  ;  do  not  hurry  him  ; 
do  not  fit  him  to  a  calling ;  find  a  calling  that  fits  him. 

There  are  a  thousand  means  of  livelihood.  The  boy 
has  but  one  prominent  ability.  Discover  that  ability, 
and  feed  it  with  the  kind  of  food  it  needs,  that  it  may 
develop  into  a  good  thing  for  the  boy  and  a  good  thing 
for  the  community. 

Do  not  start  the  boy  in  business  at  haphazard  speed. 
Better  wait  a  year  too  long  than  to  crowd  him  into  the 
first  opening,  when  he  does  not  fit  that  opening. 

The  first  start  sets  the  direction,  and  to  change  means 
time  lost,  energy  lost,  money  lost.  Better  do  the  ex- 
perimenting (and  one  may  experiment  by  study  before 
the  boy  takes  the  first  step)  than  to  start  him  in  the 
wrong  direction  and  have  him  unlearn  as  well  as  to 
have  to  be  taught  over  again. 

The  winning  of  success  lies  in  accomplishing  some- 
thing by  the  realization  of  the  full  result  of  capacity. 
It  matters  not  what  that  result  is,  so  long  as  it  be  honor- 
able and  the  best  result  possible. 


14  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Success  may  mean  money,  or  statesmanship,  or 
power,  or  philanthropy,  or  leadership,  or  position  in 
anything  honorable. 

There  are  more  of  the  harmonious  elements  of  success 
in  the  best  man  in  town  than  in  the  richest  man  in  town. 

Anything  is  successful,  which  has  reached  the  height 
of  its  capacity,  which  is  the  best  the  doer  can  do,  and 
is  the  flush  result  of  his  consummate  ability  and  effort. 

Striving  to  do  more  than  one  can,  may  not  invite 
failure. 

Unwillingness  to  use  one's  full  possessions  does  not 
encourage  success. 

In  correctly  diagnosing  one's  self,  energetically  exer- 
cising every  faculty,  adjusting  all  to  the  equipoise  of 
harmonious  nicety,  is  the  highest  realization  of  pure 
and  unadulterated  success,  a  point  as  yet  seldom  at- 
tained, but  one  to  be  within  easy  reach  in  the  days  of 
a  rapidly  approaching  civilization  of  real  Christ-like 
Christianity. 

The  best  possible  at  its  time  is  the  best  success  of  its 
day. 


The  Starting  of  the  Boy 

"  The  right  start  leads  to  successful  finish  '* 

WITHOUT  the  start  there  can  be  no  finish. 
The  finish  is  not  independent  of  the  start. 
The  germ  of  the  beginning  is  present  at 
the  ending. 

As  we  start,  so  are  we  likely  to  go.  The  wrong 
start  may  cast  an  eternal  shadow.  The  wrong  start 
is  expensive  ;  it  leads  to  continuous  cost. 

The  economy  of  success-making  is  impatient  of 
wrong-starting. 

New  times  are  different  from  old  times.  What  was 
best  for  the  father  may  not  be  best  for  the  son.  New 
theories  are  wrestling  with  old  ideas,  striving  to  fix 
standard  principles. 

The  vital  question  of  the  day,  yes,  of  the  hour,  of  the 
minute,  is,  *'What  shall  we  do  with  the  boy?"  and 
like  unto  it  is  its  sequel,  **  How  shall  we  start  the 
boy?" 

The  right  start  fortifies  against  failure.  The  right 
start  leads  on  to  success.  The  right  start  is  the  shortest 
road  to  result.  Failure  begins  with  the  wrong  begin- 
ning and  accompanies  inharmonious  environment. 

Persistency  almost  always  wins  ;  ability  usually  counts  ; 
but  ability  and  persistency,  stored  in  faithfulness  and 
ambition,  lean  upon  conditions,  and  conditions,  at  the 
start,  are  of  far  more  consequence  than  at  any  other 
point  of  the  road  of  progress. 

Environment  is  of  as  much  importance  as  is  inherit- 
ance. All  are  much  more  equal,  prenatally,  than  we 
are  apt  to  consider. 

The  future  depends  more  upon  the  regulation  of  early- 
life  than  upon  the  adjustment  of  any  other  period  of 
existence. 

IS 


i6  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Success  and  failure  are  largely  within  the  grasp  of 
the  boy  and  of  his  parents.  As  the  boy  is  started  and 
trained,  so  the  man  probably  will  be. 

The  better  the  parents  understand  the  boy,  and  the 
better  the  boy  understands  himself  and  his  parents,  the 
easier  can  be  mapped  out  the  boy*s  probable  road  to 
every  grade  of  prosperity. 

The  parents  everywhere,  be  they  rich  or  poor,  read 
or  unread,  in  the  city  or  in  the  town,  in  the  village  or 
in  the  woods,  with  anxious  arms  are  reaching  out  for 
something  to  co-operate  with  them  in  the  guidance  of 
their  boys,  who  to-day  may  be  bent,  but  to-morrow  will 
be  rigid  men,  set  in  the  stiffness  of  adulthood. 

Theories  are  glutting  the  market.  Hard,  practical, 
common  sense  is  at  a  premium.  Self-conceit,  another 
name  for  isolated  individual  opinion,  is  dangerously 
prevalent. 

I  ask  no  pardon  for  temporarily  dropping  sentiment, 
and  for  considering  humanity  as  cold  materiality. 

Half  a  truth  may  be  handled  with  gloves.  The 
whole  truth  is  never  injured  by  naked-handed  hand- 
ling. 

Physically  and  mentally,  the  human  offspring  begins 
at  the  lower  stratum  of  animal  life.  What  he  will  be, 
not  what  he  is,  gives  him  the  right  of  consequence.  If 
he  has  characteristics,  he  does  not  show  them.  If  he 
thinks,  he  does  not  know  that  he  thinks,  and  therefore 
he  presents  little  perceptible  indication  of  mind-capacity. 
His  only  marked  characteristic,  or,  rather,  his  one  dis- 
play of  instinct,  is  a  continual  desire  for  food.  He  can 
eat,  if  food  be  given  him.  He  doesn't  know  enough  to 
forage  for  it.  Unkept  and  unfed,  he  dies.  To  eat  is  the 
substance  of  his  ambition,  and  when  he  is  not  eating,  or 
trying  to  eat,  he  is  doing  nothing,  or  is  smiling,  or  cry- 
ing, or  sleeping.  He  is  of  importance,  not  for  what  he 
is,  but  for  what  he  may  be,  or  is  likely  to  be,  or  it 
is  hoped  he  will  be.  He  is  a  little,  round,  helpless, 
thin-skinned  lump  of  expectation ;  entirely  helpless,  com- 


The  Starting  of  the  Boy  17 

pletely  dependent,  and  in  a  present  state  of  total  worth- 
lessness.  Yet  the  maiden  aunt  and  sentimental  mother 
may  think  that  they  see  in  the  just-born  boy  every  con- 
spicuous trait  from  every  branch  of  two  family  trees. 

When  the  boy  is  a  few  years  old,  family  pride  and 
parental  conceit,  correctly  and  incorrectly,  and  often 
dangerously,  discover  in  him  everything  they  desire  to 
discover. 

Physical  inheritance  may  manifest  itself  at  an  early 
age,  but  mental  capacity  is  seldom  seen  in  well-defined 
lines  before  the  boy  reaches  the  age  of  half  a  dozen 
years,  and  even  then  the  distinguishing  marks  may  not 
be  below  the  surface. 

Up  to  the  tenth  or  twelfth  year-point,  the  boy's 
physical  condition  deserves  the  first  attention,  with,  of 
course,  the  absorption  of  the  **  Three  R's  "  of  school. 

The  boy  now  begins  to  show  some  permanent  likes 
and  dislikes,  and  though  his  like  often  changes  to  his 
dislike,  and  his  dislike  to  his  like,  the  keen  observer, 
and  all  interested  observers  cannot  help  keenness,  may 
discover  the  beginning  of  some  definite  characteristic, 
some  more  or  less  strong,  or  feeble,  presentation  of 
some  particular  ability,  or  of  some  kind  of  indication 
of  some  specific  tendency. 

The  learned  scientist  and  physician,  as  a  class,  be- 
lieve that  the  good  or  bad  of  inheritance  is  considerably 
confined  to  inherited  tendency,  and  their  researches 
have  demonstrated  that  unless  the  boy  has  had  the 
opportunity  of  inheriting  pronounced  mental  or  physi- 
cal qualities,  his  character  and^future  will  be,  or  is  likely 
to  be,  controlled  or  influenced  by  environment. 

Let  it  never,  even  for  the  moment,  be  unrealized  that 
environment,  with  its  goodness,  badness,  and  conven- 
tionality, is  co-responsible  with  inheritance. 

At  the  age  of  ten  years  the  boy  is  old  enough,  and 
mentally  strong  enough,  to  begin  to  appreciate,  and  to 
be  materially  influenced  by  his  surroundings.  He  is 
then  entering  upon  the  prime  of  boyhood,  the  beginning 


i8  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

of  his  real  life.  He  is  mature  enough  to  reason,  and  to 
realize  that  he  cannot  help  becoming  a  man,  although 
he  may  have  little  definite  conception  of  manhood.  He 
is  old  enough  to  choose  his  associates,  and  he  does.  At 
no  other  time  is  he  so  readily  influenced,  and  willingly 
so,  by  his  home,  his  parents,  and  his  friends.  He  may 
be  conceited,  but  probably  he  is  not  bigoted.  He  may 
be  self-willed,  but  his  will  is  not  permanently  set,  and  is 
more  pliable  than  it  ever  will  be  afterwards.  He  is  be- 
ginning to  travel  upon  the  high-road  of  his  life.  He  is 
between  the  green  pastures  of  his  youth,  and  close  by 
the  smiling  waters  of  pleasure,  and  he  breathes  the  fra- 
grance of  the  flowers  of  happy  irresponsibility,  but  he 
is  fast  approaching  a  rougher  and  sterner  country,  and 
the  future,  to  him,  although  unrealized,  is  losing  its 
blankness.  He  does  not  appreciate  his  experience,  and 
few  parents  comprehend  the  delicacy  and  vital  conse- 
quence of  his  condition.  By  them,  and  by  the  world, 
and  even  by  his  teacher,  he  is  too  often  considered  but 
a  boy,  and  treated  as  a  boy,  as  though  in  him  had  not 
fairly  begun  the  beginning  of  the  man. 

Our  present  civilization,  progressive  though  it  may 
be,  too  often  robs  the  foundation,  that  it  may  artistically 
build  the  superstructure. 

The  boy  is  entitled  to  a  fundamental  education.  He 
must  learn  to  read,  and  to  write,  and  to  figure,  and  to  be 
familiar  with  the  common  school  studies.  Without  the 
principles  of  education,  he  can  never  branch  out,  or 
enter  anything.  He  must  receive  these  fundamentals, 
willingly  or  otherwise ;  the  law  so  rules  it ;  and  the  law 
is  right. 

If  the  boy  is  to  enter  college,  it  is  not  too  early  to 
begin  to  consider  the  classical  course,  although  for 
some  time  there  may  be  no  change  in  his  studies ;  but 
that  object  should  be  kept  in  view,  that  he  may  be 
better  prepared,  when  the  time  comes,  to  shape  his  way 
college-ward. 

The  boy  who  has  to  be  forced,  so  long  as  he  needs 


The  Starting  of  the  Boy  19 

force,  will  neither  contemplate,  nor  accomplish,  suc- 
cess. It  is  neither  right,  nor  fair,  nor  good  policy,  to 
force  the  boy  into  a  classical  course,  or  into  any  other 
higher  learning,  against  the  boy's  reasonable  objection. 
The  boy  has  rights,  and  has  as  much  right  to  his  rights 
as  have  the  parents.  Force  on  the  part  of  the  parents  is 
seldom  justifiable  when  it  goes  beyond  protecting  the 
boy  from  danger,  keeping  him  in  health  and  within  the 
law  of  reason  and  of  the  land  he  lives  in,  and  giving 
him  educational  essentials. 

The  boy,  if  necessary,  should  be  forced  through  the 
common  school,  but  seldom  a  step  further.  After  the 
common  school  is  past,  he  has  an  equal  vote  with  his 
parents,  and  if  he  be  a  boy  of  character  and  of  sense, 
the  casting  vote  in  the  matter  of  educational  progres- 
sion, and  to  him,  more  than  to  his  parents,  belongs  the 
decision  of  the  method  of  his  livelihood.  If  he  is 
worthy  of  a  higher  education,  force  will  never  have  to 
be  exercised  upon  him.  Parents  should  never  drive 
higher  education  against  the  grain  of  the  youthful 
cranium. 

The  success  of  every  boy  is  not  independent  from 
association  with  conditions  adapted  to  his  physical  ca- 
pacity and  to  his  mental  ability.  Which  way  does  the 
boy  incline  ?  Does  he  show  mental  activity  ?  Does  he 
memorize  or  does  he  reason?  Is  he  a  copier  or  an 
originator? 

It  is  the  parents'  business  to  encourage  the  boy,  to 
teach  him  the  way  he  should  go,  to  boost  him  up  the 
common  tree  of  life,  and  to  let  him  climb  through  the 
branches  of  his  own  choosing,  and  to  help  him  while  he 
is  climbing,  and  even  to  hold  the  net  of  safety  beneath 
him  lest  he  fall. 

Half  of  our  blundering,  ignorant,  out-of-place  law- 
yers, doctors,  and  ministers  are  but  the  product  of 
wilful  and  conceited  parents,  who  hadn't  brains 
enough  to  let  their  boys  walk  upon  their  own  legs, 
but  insisted  upon  propping  them  up  upon  crutches  for 


20  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

life ;  and  the  suffering  world,  with  the  boys,  pays  the 
penalty. 

Better  that  the  boy  be  the  best  machinist  in  town 
than  the  poorest  lawyer.  Better  a  good  carpenter  than 
a  butchering  doctor.  Better  that  he  till  the  soil  well  and 
enjoy  a  profitable  harvest,  than  that  he,  in  his  ignorance 
and  inadaptability,  misrepresent  religion. 

The  boy  of  any  age  is  not  entitled  to  indiscriminate 
freedom.  He  must  be  mastered.  The  boy  without  a 
master  is  as  unsafe  as  a  ship  without  a  tiller,  but  the 
boy  with  an  incompetent  master  may  be  in  more  peril 
than  a  ship  without  a  rudder.  The  boy,  however, 
when  he  has  reached  youthful  maturity,  is  entitled  to  a 
not-over-restricted  freedom  of  his  individuality,  and  he 
should  be  allowed  to  have  a  voice  in  the  shaping  of  his 
future.  The  boy  of  sense  is  worthy  of  being  trusted, 
and  his  likes  and  dislikes  are  entitled  to  profound 
respect. 

The  application  of  human  law  and  of  the  parents' 
law  had  better  be  mostly  confined  to  the  negative ;  and 
to  the  boy,  as  an  individual,  if  he  be  a  boy  of  character 
and  of  sufficient  age,  should  be  conceded  the  right  to 
choose  the  affirmative,  subject  always  to  an  intelligent 
parental  veto. 

Parents  have  rights,  but  the  right  of  their  right  is  in 
the  right  use  of  it.  The  boy,  if  he  be  a  boy  worth  hav- 
ing and  of  some  maturity,  has  rights  of  his  own ;  and 
the  boy's  real  rights  and  his  parents'  real  rights  can 
never  meet  in  harmful  collision. 

Parental  love,  sensible  love,  —  and  any  other  kind 
of  parental  love  is  unworthy  of  the  name, — the  love 
which  has  trained  itself  to  proper  regulation,  and  is 
competent  to  administer  itself,  has  done  a  thousand 
times,  yes,  ten  thousand  times  more  good  to  the  boy 
than  the  arbitrary  parental  dictation  of  might. 

I  am  aware  that  early  characteristics  are  often  mis- 
interpreted, that  it  is  sometimes  impossible,  and  often 
difficult,   for   parents,  even   if   they  be   the   wisest,  to 


The  Starting  of  the  Boy  21 

render  proper  assistance  to  the  boy ;  but  parents  must 
do  their  best,  and  when  in  doubt  should  consult  with 
others,  as  wise  as  or  wiser  than  they,  that  collective  judg- 
ment, not  individual  opinion,  may  be  the  order  of  their 
rule.  They  should  advise  with  others,  anyway ;  for  no 
two  parents,  even  the  best,  have  in  themselves  the  sole 
right  of  directorship.  Alone  they  may,  or  may  not, 
know  what  is  best  to  do ;  and  the  chances  are,  perhaps, 
but  even.  Working  with  others,  correcting  and  perfect- 
ing their  ideas  from  those  of  others,  they  may  sometimes 
do  wrongly,  but  they  are  far  less  apt  to  blunder.  There 
is  safety  in  the  sharing  of  responsibility. 

The  boy,  at  quite  an  early  age,  begins  to  show  what 
he  may  be  good  for,  or  he  is  getting  himself  into  shape 
to  show  what  he  may  be  good  for.  The  time  has  ar- 
rived for  him  to  study  himself,  and  to  be  studied ;  to 
find  himself,  and  to  be  found ;  and  his  characteristics 
and  his  tendencies,  his  advantages  and  his  disadvan- 
tages, should  be  carefully  noted,  that  a  general  line  of 
action  may  be  marked  out  for  him,  suggested  to  him, 
and  not  forced  upon  him  —  an  elastic  line,  that  it  may 
be  turned  one  way  or  another,  as  constantly  arising  con- 
ditions may  suggest,  but  the  line  not  lacking  definite- 
ness,  however. 

Bending  the  boy  against  his  natural  grain  means 
mental  or  physical  deformity.  Every  boy  who  is 
good  for  anything  is  better  for  one  thing  than  for  any 
other.  Along  the  line  of  his  capacity  is  the  road 
to  his  best  accomplishment.  Forcing  him  to  be  what 
Nature  never  intended  for  him  means  failure.  The 
boy's  inclinations  may,  and  may  not,  correspond  with 
the  boy's  capacity.  He  may  be  mistaken  about  him- 
self, and  so  may  be  his  parents,  and  his  teacher  may 
not  diagnose  his  case  correctly.  Certainty  is  impossi- 
ble. Probability  is  probable.  The  boy  who  wants  to 
do  what  he  ought  to  do  is  pretty  sure  of  success.  The 
combination  of  desire  and  capacity  leads  on  to  profit. 
Most  failures  begin  either  by  doing  what  one  does  not 


22  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

want  to  do,  or  by  doing  what  one  ought  not  to  do.  The 
success  of  almost  every  boy  is  dependent  upon  his  in- 
clination, working  in  harmony  with  his  real  capacity ; 
and  the  sooner  this  combination  is  discovered,  the 
quicker  the  boy  will  reach  results. 

Parents  should  be  the  allies  of  the  teacher,  and  should 
help  to  make  the  regulative  and  hurried  teachings  of 
the  school  pleasantly  realistic,  interesting,  and  entertain- 
ing to  the  scholar ;  but  if  they  are  incompetent,  the  boy 
is  much  better  off  without  their  direct  assistance,  be- 
cause there  may  be  more  ignorance  in  the  home  than 
in  the  school-room,  and  there  is  likely  to  be  much  less 
trained  experience. 

Desire  to  benefit  the  boy  may,  and  may  not,  be  ac- 
companied with  competency.  If  the  boy  shows  a  me- 
chanical bent,  he  should  have  something  mechanical  to 
do  about  the  house,  and  be  encouraged  in  every  way 
along  the  line  of  his  inclination.  The  more  mechanical 
things  set  before  him,  the  better,  provided  they  do  not 
interfere  with  his  regular  duties  and  with  his  health. 
The  handling  of  mechanics,  and  the  seeing  of  them  in 
action,  and  the  atmosphere  of  the  workshop,  even 
though  he  be  but  a  visitor,  and  not  an  actor,  will  be  of 
much  use  in  fitting  him  for  the  life  he  is  likely  to  follow. 

If  the  boy  enjoys  the  farm,  and  outdoors  is  more 
than  all  the  rest  of  the  world  to  him,  there  should  be 
impressed  upon  him  the  advantage  of  being  a  good 
farmer,  and  not  a  drudger ;  and  he  should  be  allowed 
to  see  the  difference  between  working  the  land  and 
allowing  the  land  to  work  him. 

If  he  appears  to  be  a  trader,  he  should,  when  of 
reasonable  age,  meet  men  of  honest  business,  and  be 
kept  away  from  the  jockies  of  trade,  that  he  may  learn 
the  right  side  of  business  and  not  the  wrong  side  of 
barter. 

If  he  be  a  student,  and  loves  study,  every  opportunity 
should  be  given  him  to  develop  his  inclinations,  and  he 
should  be  surrounded  with  the  atmosphere  of  books  and 


The  Starting  of  the  Boy  23 

of  learning,  and  be  shown  that  memorizing  is  the 
lowest  order  of  intellectual  accomplishment,  and  that 
the  book-worm  always  crawls.  Study  should  never 
interfere  with  the  proper  amount  of  outdoor  exercise. 
Too  much  study  may  be  as  bad  as  too  little  study. 
Study,  at  the  sacrifice  of  health  and  of  a  proper  amount 
of  youthful  pleasure,  never  pays  a  satisfactory  dividend. 

If  the  boy  has  a  decided  preference  for  some  pro- 
fession, let  him  see  that  profession  as  it  is ;  both  sides 
of  it;  its  advantages  and  disadvantages.  Don't  keep 
him  away  from  the  bad  side.  If  his  ambition  and 
desire  are  built  upon  the  solid  rock  of  adaptability,  he 
cannot  be  discouraged. 

Whatever  the  boy  seems  best  adapted  to,  or  wants  to 
do,  if  that  want  appears  to  be  a  reasonable  one,  he 
should,  so  far  as  practicable,  and  so  far  as  it  does  not 
interfere  with  his  regular  duties  and  with  his  reasonable 
pleasures,  live  somewhat  in  the  environment  of  his 
choice,  that  even  while  a  school-boy  he  may  not  be 
unfamiliar  with  the  responsibilities  of  his  future.  It 
is  unmistakably  a  great  advantage  to  him  if  he  can,  in 
early  life,  determine  upon  his  future  course,  with  some 
degree  of  probability,  and  be  given  the  right  atmos- 
phere to  work  and  play  in,  that  it  may  be  easier,  and 
not  harder,  for  him  to  find  himself,  and  to  hold  himself, 
and  more  easily  and  more  gradually  and  more  natur- 
ally to  prepare  himself  for  his  life's  work. 

The  boy  should  be  a  boy  so  long  as  he  is  a  boy. 
The  premature  assumption  of  man's  estate  is  unnatural 
and  dangerous.  But  the  boy  does  not  assume  the 
responsibilities  of  manhood,  when,  in  the  maturity  of 
his  youth,  or  even  before  it,  he  formally,  or  informally, 
selects  the  probable  course  of  his  life,  and  begins  to 
accustom  himself  to  the  conditions  surrounding  that 
direction.  The  earlier  he  makes  a  decision,  in  part  or 
in  fact,  with  the  assistance  of  his  parents  and  friends, 
the  more  gradually,  and  the  more  easily,  he  will 
accomplish  results.     He  will  naturally  grow  into  what 


24  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

he  is  after,  unconsciously  and  without  weariness,  and 
without  negligence  of  study  or  of  the  sacrifice  of  the 
pleasure  he,  as  a  boy,  deserves  and  requires. 

Many  a  boy  does  not  know  what  he  wants  to  do,  and 
many  a  boy  cannot  well  be  told  what  he  had  better  do, 
much  before  the  time  of  doing  it.  This  boy  is  simply 
at  a  disadvantage.  Success  is  not  denied  him,  but  he 
isn't  so  well  off  as  he  would  have  been  if  he  could  have 
discovered,  or  partially  discovered,  in  advance,  the  best 
probable  road  to  travel. 

The  tourist,  who  starts  at  a  moment's  notice  through 
Nature's  wonderland,  appreciates  each  picture  as  it 
unrolls  before  him,  but  he  does  not  enjoy  them  to  the 
fulness  of  his  capacity,  nor  receive  from  them  what 
he  would  have  realized,  had  he  started  mentally  and 
physically  equipped  to  absorb  each  experience  as  he 
met  it. 

Give  Nature  full  sway.  Nature  is  never  wrong  and 
never  goes  astray.  The  real  Nature  of  a  boy  is  the  real 
boy  in  the  entirety  of  his  completeness.  Find  that 
Nature,  the  best  part,  and  the  whole  part,  of  all  there 
is  good  in  the  boy,  and  then  let  Nature  take  its  course, 
by  helping  it  along,  encouraging  it,  and  feeding  it  with 
the  natural  food  the  Great  Provider  planted  for  man  to 
harvest. 


The  Boy  at  School 

**  Where  the  twig  is  bent  and  set  " 

SUBSTANTIALLY  all  American  boys,  whether 
or  not  they  finish  at  college  or  at  other  high 
institutions  of  learning,  attend  the  so-called  pub- 
lic or  common  school,  and  probably  eighty-five 
per  cent,  of  them  complete  their  scholastic  education 
by  graduating  from  the  several  grades,  or  classes,  of 
the  free  school  system. 

It  is  obvious  that  the  boy  cannot  hope  to  progress 
without  the  fundamental  education  commonly  taught  in 
the  public  schools.  Without  this  knowledge,  he  can- 
not expect  to  succeed  in  life,  nor  can  he  become  a 
member  of  any  respectable  community ;  and  this  basic 
or  foundational  scholarship  is  necessary,  whether  he 
goes  higher  educationally  or  not,  and  whether  he  be- 
comes a  laborer  or  a  lawyer.  This  common  or  rudi- 
mentary knowledge  he  must  acquire,  and  it  must  be 
driven  into  him,  if  necessary,  unless  he  possesses  con- 
siderably less  than  ordinary  mental  capacity. 

It  is  essential,  first,  to  give  the  boy  the  tools  to  work 
with ;  and  second,  to  discipline,  train,  and  fit  his  mind 
for  labor  in  any  department  of  livelihood-earning. 

It  is  true  that  the  boy  may  forget  one-half  of  his  early 
geography ;  that  the  solution  of  many  of  his  school 
problems  may  pass  from  his  mind ;  and  that,  perhaps, 
at  the  close  of  his  college  course  he  could  not,  at  the 
moment,  pass  the  entrance  examinations ;  yet,  however 
much  he  may  have  forgotten,  he  has  received  informa- 
tion, and  he  has  learned  how  to  take  it,  and  his  early 
education,  forgotten  or  remembered,  has  disciplined  and 
fitted  him  to  better  grasp  opportunity. 

The  average  boy  is  a  member  of  a  class  of  average 
boys,  of  average  ability,  and  of  a  social  standing  like 

25 


26  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

his  own.  There  are  probably  not  less  than  twenty-five 
in  the  class,  and  perhaps  twice  that  number,  or  more. 
He  is,  then,  but  a  part  of  a  composite  whole,  and  a 
general,  not  a  specific,  factor  in  his  class.  Little  is 
usually  done,  and  little  can  be  done,  under  the  present 
school  system,  for  him  individually.  He  must,  in  com- 
mon with  his  mates,  feed  upon  the  general  loaf  of  edu- 
cation, and  not  upon  bread  specially  baked  for  him. 
No  matter  how  faithful  the  teacher,  no  matter  how  great 
his  ability,  it  is  obvious  that  he  cannot  give  more  than 
very  limited  personal  attention  to  any  one  boy. 

Many  of  our  educational  authorities  consider  it  for- 
tunate for  the  boy  that  he  is  a  part  of  a  scholastic 
machine,  and  not  a  petted  individual,  and  that  the  boy 
needs  this  rounding-out,  this  opportunity  to  absorb 
generally.  Other  educational  experts  deplore  the  lack 
of  opportunity  for  individual  interest  and  instruction,  and 
look  upon  our  present  school  system  as  falling  very  far 
short  of  the  ideal.  Undoubtedly,  somewhere  between 
these  extremes  of  opinion  lies  the  best  method  of  edu- 
cation, —  a  method  sure  of  speedy  discovery  and 
adoption.  Until  its  arrival,  however,  the  school  must 
be  considered  as  it  now  is,  not  as  it  may  be,  or  ought 
to  be. 

There  can,  nevertheless,  be  no  question  that  the  boy, 
with  this  general  knowledge  and  discipline,  needs  per- 
sonal care  and  assistance  in  connection  with  the  school 
system,  provided  the  school  system  does  not  and  can- 
not give  them,  and  these  the  parents,  or  guardian,  or 
relatives,  or  friends  must  give,  or  the  boy,  for  the 
present,  will  have  to  get  along  without  them.  It  is  the 
important  duty  of  some  one  outside  of  the  school  to 
follow  the  boy's  career  at  school,  to  be  posted  upon 
everything  he  does  and  does  not  do,  and  to  act  as  an 
accessory  to  the  teacher. 

Unfortunately,  too  much  of  the  tendency  of  school 
teaching  is  towards  the  development  of  the  memory, 
and  not  of  the  reason.     The  common   school  teacher 


The  Boy  at  School  27 

does  not  always  have  the  time,  and  may  not  always  have 
the  ability,  to  develop  individual  thought.  The  boy 
may  become  a  repeater  rather  than  areasoner.  He  may 
be  mechanically  correct,  and  his  record  may  be  at  the 
hundred-mark,  and  yet  he,  at  the  head  of  his  class,  may 
be  less  equipped  for  the  future  than  is  the  boy  half-way 
down,  or  more  than  half-way  down,  in  class-standing. 

Besides  imparting  fundamental  facts,  and  training 
and  disciplining  the  boy,  education  is  of  little  value  to 
him  unless  his  mind  is  capable  of  handling  it.  The 
talk  of  the  parrot  begins  and  ends  at  the  parrot's  mouth ; 
there  is  no  mind,  no  reasoning  back  of  it.  Many  a 
schoolboy,  high  up  in  his  class,  recites  with  little  more 
understanding. 

Dutiful  parents,  parents  who  are  really  interested  in 
their  boy's  progress,  will,  so  far  as  possible,  keep  them- 
selves familiar  with  the  boy's  work  at  school.  They 
will  read  the  boy's  text-books,  talk  over  the  lessons 
with  him  at  home,  and  supply  the  attention  which  the 
teacher  has  not  time  to  give.  If  the  parents  are  edu- 
cated, well  and  good.  If  the  parents  are  not  educated, 
here  is  their  opportunity  to  study  with  the  boy,  for  the 
mutual  benefit  of  all  concerned. 

Parents  should  not  make  the  home-study  hard  work 
for  the  boy.  Let  the  study  at  home  be  mixed  with 
recreation,  —  a  pleasure,  not  a  hardship.  Study  worth 
much  of  anything  is  not  grinding  labor.  Studying, 
with  understanding  and  with  the  proper  help,  is  pleasur- 
able Work  and  not  drudgery.  The  teacher  may  of 
necessity  be  unable  to  always  make  the  task  easy  or 
pleasant  for  the  pupil,  and  perhaps  the  teacher  has  not 
the  time  nor  the  opportunity  to  soften  hard  educational 
fact.  Furthermore,  many  a  teacher  has  not  a  faculty 
of  imparting  knowledge  easily,  smoothly,  and  pleas- 
ingly. Here  is  an  opportunity  for  parents  to  do  what 
the  teacher  cannot  do,  or  may  not  be  able  to  do  easily, 
—  to  help  the  boy  to  love  study,  to  appreciate  the  value 
of  education. 


28  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

There  should  be  in  every  home,  yes,  in  every  board- 
ing-house, a  general  social  discussion  of  educational 
matters,  for  the  benefit  of  the  young  people,  and  for  the 
welfare  of  every  inmate. 

Parents  should  not  throw  upon  the  teacher  a 
responsibility  greater  than  it  is  the  teacher's  duty  to 
bear.  They  should  work  with  the  teacher  for  the  boy's 
good,  and  for  the  good  of  the  community.  This  co- 
operation—  and,  mind  you,  co-operation  should  not  be 
dictation  —  simplifies,  strengthens,  and  makes  more 
effective  the  whole  educational  system,  and  does  more 
than  anything  else  to  brace  and  strengthen  the  boy 
entering  the  ranks  of  active  life,  and  supplies  him  not 
only  with  sufficient  educational  ammunition,  but  with 
skill  to  use  it. 

The  private  or  so-called  select  school  generally 
follows  the  methods  of  the  common  or  public  school, 
intensifying  and  broadening  those  methods  by  giving 
more  attention  to  each  pupil.  Some  of  the  private 
schools  are  in  every  way  superior  to  the  public  schools, 
and  some  of  them  are  very  much  inferior.  The  private 
school  has  a  better  opportunity  than  has  the  common 
school,  and  more  often  than  otherwise  it  improves  that 
opportunity. 

What  is  known  as  **  the  society  school "  is  likely  to 
teach  more  of  what  it  ought  not  to  teach  than  of  what  it 
should  teach.  Fortunately,  the  majority  of  private 
schools  are  true  educational  institutions,  managed  by 
men  and  women  of  great  integrity,  ability,  and  adapta- 
bility, and  fortunate,  indeed,  is  the  boy  given  an 
opportunity  to  study  under  such  favorable  auspices. 

While  it  is  the  parents'  duty  to  watch  the  boy  at 
school,  to  aid  him,  encourage  him,  and  to  co-operate 
with  his  teacher,  they  should  seldom  assume  the 
right  of  educational  dictation.  Many  of  our  educational 
systems  are  far  from  perfection,  many  of  our  committee- 
men are  neither  physically  nor  mentally  adapted  to 
offer   advice,    and   many  a   teacher   lacks    ability  and 


The  Boy  at  School  29 

method ;  yet  the  average  system,  the  average  com- 
mittee-man, and  the  average  teacher  are  more  com- 
petent to  frame  methods  and  to  instruct  than  is  the 
average  parent,  and  parents  should  recognize  this. 

Faultfinding  is  easy ;  any  one  can  object  to  the 
method  and  to  the  teacher;  but  co-operation,  assist- 
ance, and  interest  are  far  better  than  faultfinding  and 
backbiting. 

Parents  should  render  to  the  teacher  what  is  the 
teacher's  due,  and  assist  rather  than  find  fault  w^ith 
him.  They  should  be  the  teacher's  assistants  and 
friends,  for  often  the  incompetent  teacher,  with  home 
assistance,  may  accomplish  more  than  can  the  good 
teacher  unaided  and  alone. 

Teachers  have  their  places ;  let  not  parents  trespass 
upon  school-house  domains. 

Parents  have  their  rights ;  let  not  teachers  invade 
the  home  preserves. 

The  boy  at  school  is  entitled  to  exercise  some  of  his 
individuality ;  let  both  teacher  and  parent  respect  the 
manliness  of  youth-hood. 

Stand  together ;  you  are  not  competitors ;  work  to- 
gether, all  of  you  —  parents,  scholars,  teachers.  In 
interested,  companionable,  enthusiastic  correlation  is 
the  mutual  flood  of  prosperity. 


Good  and  Poor  Scholars 

"  What's  the  good  of  unused  good  " 

THE  good  scholar  at  school,  more  than  the  poor 
scholar,  is  likely  to  develop  into  successful  man- 
hood.    Yet  many  heads  of  classes,  and  many 
more  not  far  down  the  scholastic  ranking-line, 
have  made  failures  of  life,  v^hile  many  a  boy  at  the  foot 
of  his  class,  or  near  the  foot  of  it,  has  been  the  first  to 
cross  the  tape  in  life's  track  of  accomplishment. 

Proficiency  in  early  scholarship  may  not  be  the  fore- 
runner of  successful  result.  Dullness  in  school,  or 
apparent  incapacity,  or  wilful  unwillingness  to  excel  is 
certainly  not  conducive  to  success ;  but  because  many 
poor  scholars  become  successful  men,  and  because 
many  good  scholars  are  failures,  scholarship  in  school 
or  class-rank  cannot  be  considered  as  an  infallible 
criterion  of  the  future. 

While  it  is  a  fact  that  most  of  the  men  of  success 
were  neither  at  the  head  nor  at  the  foot  of  their  classes, 
partly  because  there  are  more  scholars  between  the 
head  and  the  foot  than  are  at  the  head  or  at  the  foot ; 
yet  it  is  probable  that  the  majority  of  successful  men 
were  graduated  from  school  or  college  in  the  upper  half 
of  their  classes ;  and  that  life's  failures,  for  the  most 
part,  were  in  the  lower  half  of  their  classes. 

The  boy  who  cannot  keep  up  with  the  majority  of 
his  schoolfellows  is  not  likely  to  harvest  profitably  on 
any  of  life's  fields  of  labor.  The  boy  who  will  not 
keep  up  with  the  majority  of  his  schoolfellows  simply 
because  he  is  too  lazy,  or  too  unambitious,  or  too  much 
interested  in  something  else,  may  become  a  pronounced 
success,  provided  that  he  realizes  before  it  is  too  late 
that  one  of  the  parts  oi  accomplishment  is  strenuous 
application.     The  boy  who  is  at  the  head  of  his  class 

30 


Good  and  Poor  Scholars  31 

simply  because  he  wants  to  be  at  the  head,  and  has  no 
better  reason,  is  not  likely  to  succeed  more  than  moder- 
ately in  life. 

The  boy  most  liable  to  be  a  success  is  the  boy  who 
gets  out  of  the  school  all  that  the  school  can  give, 
whether  he  be  at  the  head  of  his  class  or  not.  He  goes 
to  school  for  a  purpose.  His  purpose  is  to  learn  what 
there  is  to  learn,  and  to  learn  with  understanding  and 
not  by  rote.  He  is  not  a  parrot-like  repeater  at  recita- 
tion, nor  a  mechanical  memorizer  at  examination.  He 
learns  what  he  learns,  that  he  may  know  what  he 
knows ;  and  he  fills  himself  with  this  information,  not 
for  the  sake  of  the  information,  but  for  what  the  infor- 
mation shall  be  worth  to  him  when  occasion  requires  its 
use.  He  loads  that  he  may  unload  ;  he  absorbs  that  he 
may  distribute ;  he  stores  himself  full  of  the  right  kind 
of  material,  of  use  to  himself  and  to  his  world.  What 
he  learns  he  understands,  and  what  he  cannot  under- 
stand he  refuses  to  learn.  Consequently,  he  is  nearer 
the  middle  of  his  class  than  to  the  head  of  it,  and  often 
he  is  unable  to  win  class-ranking-honors  from  the  boy 
of  mechanical  memory. 

Many  a  boy  at  the  head  of  his  class  is  merely  an 
automatic  absorber.  The  knowledge  he  receives  solidi- 
fies under  his  skull,  and  there  remains  intact,  without 
life  or  vibration.  It  is  worth  nothing  to  the  boy  be- 
cause he  cannot  distribute  it.  He  does  not  understand  it. 
He  wins  ranking-honors  at  school  because  his  recita- 
tions are  technically  perfect  and  his  answers  to  exami- 
nation questions  are  equally  correct.  This  boy  seldom 
makes  a  success  of  anything ;  he  is  a  dead  boy,  with 
an  absorbent  mind  that  can  receive  what  it  cannot  give. 
With  equal  facility  his  head  will  hold  a  string  of 
abstract  figures,  a  line  of  dates,  and  a  book  of  words. 
As  a  storage  plant  he  may  be  a  success,  if  some  one  is 
found  to  unload  him  and  market  his  goods ;  but  alone, 
he  is  a  failure,  a  miser  of  knowledge,  an  educated 
automaton.     Yet  he  may  graduate  at  the  head  of  his 


32  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

class,  for  under  many  of  our  accepted  systems  of  mark- 
ing, ignorant  correctness  stands  as  high  as  intelligent 
understanding,  and  automatic  negatives  rank  with 
intellectual  affirmatives.  Some  systems  of  education 
seem  to  offer  a  premium  for  active  absorption  and  in- 
active understanding.  They  appear  to  be  satisfied  if 
the  boy  can  answer  in  the  words  of  the  book.  They 
encourage  him  to  look  upon  the  head  of  the  class  as  the 
top-goal  of  result ;  and  many  a  boy  in  striving  for 
class  leadership  becomes  mechanically  strong  and 
intellectually  weak. 

The  institution  of  learning,  where  knowledge  is 
taught  as  it  should  be  taught,  does  not  over-praise  the 
head,  nor  over-condemn  the  foot  of  the  class.  It  de- 
velops the  memory,  not  for  memory's  sake,  but  just  so 
far  as  the  memory  may  the  better  store  the  material  of 
understanding.  It  asks  the  student  to  do  his  best,  and 
would  rather  encourage  him  to  be  at  the  foot  of  the 
class,  understanding  a  part  of  his  lesson,  than  to  be  a 
book-roter  at  the  head  of  his  class. 

The  boy  at  school  who  gets  something  out  of  his 
lessons  beyond  the  mere  book  questions  and  answers  is 
going  to  be  a  success,  whether  he  be  at  the  head  of 
the  class,  in  the  middle  of  the  class,  or  at  the  foot  of  the 
class,  —  but  he  is  not  likely  to  be  at  the  foot  of  the 
class. 

The  boy  who  thinks  more  about  what  he  learns  than 
about  his  relative  position  in  the  class  is  likely  to  be  a 
winner.  He  learns  with  an  object  in  view ;  he  at- 
tempts to  understand  as  he  passes  on.  Consequently, 
he  may  not  be  able  to  pass  an  examination  so  well  as 
does  the  boy  who  is  ignorantly  literal  and  dry-book- 
perfect. 

Not  how  the  boy  stands  in  school,  but  how  the  boy 
is  using  the  school,  or  rather,  how  the  boy's  school 
stands  in  him,  counts  in  the  end. 

The  strife  for  scholastic  rank  in  school  is  pure  and 
simple  competition ;  and  all  competition,  whether  neces- 


Good  and  Poor  Scholars  33 

sary  or  not,  is  unnatural.  Business,  as  business  is 
done,  demands  competition ;  but  business,  as  now  con- 
ducted, is  not  the  ideal  of  a  higher  civilization.  There 
would  appear  to  be  little  or  no  excuse  for  competition 
in  school ;  and  competition  should  be  seldom  encour- 
aged by  the  teacher  or  permitted  by  the  government. 
Successful  scholars  are  seldom  competitors  in  a  com- 
petitive sense.  Competition,  broadly  defined,  means 
getting  something  at  the  expense  of  another ;  that  is, 
taking  unto  one's  self  that  which  another  unwillingly 
gives  up,  or,  on  account  of  competition,  fails  to  receive. 
The  struggle  for  class  leadership  is  seldom  unadulter- 
ated with  this  kind  of  competition,  and,  just  so  far  as  it 
is  thus  competitive,  it  is  unprofitable  and  wrong. 

The  position  at  the  head  of  the  class  is  too  often 
obtained  by  the  exercise  of  memorizing,  or  by  what  is 
known  as  exhaustive  cramming.  The  victor  frequently 
gets  there  by  an  abnormal  development  of  his  memory. 
Memory  alone  is  an  unprofitable  possession.  What 
it  receives  is  valuable  only  in  so  far  as  it  is  usable. 

The  memory  which  can  use  and  distribute  its  receipts 
is  a  priceless  blessing,  a  commodity  of  success. 

Let  the  memory  be  broadly  developed,  that  it  may 
be  generous,  not  miserly,  equally  receiving  and  giving 
for  the  mutual  benefit  of  itself  and  others. 

Many  a  boy,  in  striving  for  class-ranking-honors, 
has  strained  himself  physically  and  mentally,  has 
further  sacrificed  a  part  of  his  understanding,  and  has 
dwarfed  his  intellectual  development,  that  he  might 
crowd  his  memory  with  the  facts  and  figures  too  often 
essential  to  class  prominence. 

The  boy  who  has  the  germ  of  success  in  him  gen- 
erally has  too  much  good  sense  to  strive  for  an  empty 
honor,  or  for  an  unprofitable  position,  or  to  pay  for 
anything  more  than  the  thing  is  worth.  School,  to 
him,  is  a  means  to  an  end.  He  absorbs  the  wheat,  and 
passes  by  the  chaff.  He  stores  knowledge,  not  in  a 
solid   lump    of   memory,  but   in    convenient   layers   of 


34  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

understanding.  In  other  words,  he  stores  intellectual 
food,  not  for  the  sake  of  keeping,  but  for  the  sake  of 
using.  He  is  in  the  highest  sense  a  good  scholar,  no 
matter  what  his  class-rank  may  be.  On  the  field  of  the 
future  it  matters  little  what  his  relative  position  has  been 
in  the  training  classes  of  his  boyhood.  What  he  knows 
counts,  and  what  he  knows  is  what  he  has  with  him, 
fitted  for  use,  not  what  he  has  unnaturally  stored  up 
within  the  outletless  volume  of  his  mind. 

The  boy,  whose  highest  ambition  is  to  stand  at  the 
head  of  his  class,  wholly  for  the  sake  of  being  there, 
and  for  the  selfish  motive  of  outranking  his  fellow- 
students,  seldom  puts  his  knowledge  to  any  service. 
He  is  likely  to  remain  an  educated  dummy,  well-nigh 
useless  to  the  community.  For  the  growth  of  his 
memory,  that  he  may  obtain  a  class-ranking  honor,  he 
has  dwarfed  his  intellectuality. 

The  head  of  the  class  may  be  a  failure.  The  foot  of 
the  class  generally  is.  The  good  scholar  is  more  often 
at  neither  end  of  his  class,  and  cares  infinitely  more  for 
what  he  learns  to  understand  than  for  an  arbitrary 
class-rating,  which  may  seem  to  stand  for  much,  but 
which  really  stands  for  little.  He  is  not,  however,  in- 
different to  class-rank.  If  others  pass  him,  it  spurs  him 
to  greater  endeavor,  not  that  he  outmatch  them,  but  that 
he  may  receive  the  top-fulness  of  his  school  privileges. 
He  obtains  the  knowledge  of  action,  not  the  learning  of 
stagnation.      He  uses  what  he  receives,  and  succeeds. 


Higher  Education 

"  There  isn't  likely  to  be  too  much  of  a  good  thing" 

HIGHER  education  may  be  considered  to  consist 
of  every  grade  of  academic  learning  beyond 
the  graduating  or  finishing  class  of  the  com- 
mon or  public  school,  and  to  include  the 
teaching  at  colleges,  classical  academies,  institutes  of 
technology,  and  substantially  every  kind  of  instruction, 
except  that  pertaining  to  commercial  technicality. 

The  fundamental  part,  or  the  foundation,  of  educa- 
tion is  found  in  the  common  or  public  school,  known 
as  the  kindergarten  and  primary  school,  the  graded 
grammar  school,  and  the  more  or  less  elective  high 
school. 

Every  boy,  whether  or  not  he  proposes  to  enter  busi- 
ness or  profession,  and  whether  or  not  he  proposes  to 
advance  educationally,  absolutely  needs  this  founda- 
tional preparation  ;  for  without  it  he  cannot  enter  life 
properly  equipped,  nor  will  he  be  prepared  to  broaden 
into  classical  or  scientific  attainment. 

When  the  boy  has  finished  his  common  school  course, 
many  parents,  with  or  without  the  boy's  consent,  and  with 
or  without  exercising  common  sense,  and  often  without 
common  fairness,  unequivocally  decide  that  the  boy 
shall  begin  to  earn  a  livelihood,  or  that  he  shall  con- 
tinue his  education  in  the  higher  courses  of  learning. 
If  the  boy  has  stood  high  in  his  common  school  classes, 
and  has  appeared  to  be  an  apt  pupil,  the  parents,  if 
they  can  afford  it,  quite  frequently  attempt  to  unduly 
influence,  or  force,  the  boy  college-ward. 

Very  often  the  parents  mistake  the  power  of  mem- 
orizing for  educational  capacity,  and  judge  the  boy  by 
the  totals  of  his  examination  papers  instead  of  closely 
analyzing    the    boy's    intellectuality    and    ability,    his' 

35 


36  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

capacity  for  using,  as  well  as  for  grasping,  more  than 
an  ordinary  education. 

The  memorist  can  pass  any  common  school  or  col- 
lege examination.  The  mere  winning  in  an  examina- 
tion and  class  standing,  in  themselves,  may  be  the 
falsest  guides.  By  no  means  is  the  dull  boy  in  school 
likely  to  be  the  bright  boy  in  life ;  nor  is  the  book- 
perfect  boy  at  school  necessarily  liable  to  be  a  success- 
ful man,  if  his  future  be  prophesied  by  his  mechanical 
percentages  and  his  technical  correctness  in  recitation. 

The  methodically  perfect  school-boy  may  grow  into 
the  automatic  man. 

A  part  of  education  must  be  the  training  of  the 
memory,  but  the  educated  man  of  success  is  the  one 
who  possesses,  with  a  developed  memory,  a  capacity 
and  experience  necessary  for  the  use  of  what  he  has 
received.  The  truly  memorizing  boy,  and  there  are 
many  of  them,  may  be  as  useless  as  a  locked  storehouse 
of  good  things. 

Not  altogether  what  the  boy  has  done,  nor  entirely 
what  he  appears  to  be,  but  what  he  seems  likely  to  be  fit 
to  be  made  into,  must  be  considered  in  deciding  whether 
or  not  it  is  better  to  start  him  in  business  or  to  give  him 
the  benefits  of  a  higher  education. 

Education  never  made  a  fool  of  anybody.  Higher 
education  never  spoiled  a  boy.  The  ass  is  an  ass, 
whether  he  be  educated  or  uneducated.  The  spoiled 
boy  at  college  was  spoiled  before  he  went  there.  Edu- 
cation does  nothing  for  the  fool,  and  everything  for  the 
wise.  True,  many  college  men  may  be  more  active  on 
the  field  of  sports  than  in  the  halls  of  learning,  and  a 
small  proportion  of  undergraduates  may  give  no  indica- 
tion that  they  were  ever  respectable ;  but  this  condition 
does  not  reflect  upon  the  college,  nor  does  it  furnish 
proof  that  college  life  is  injurious.  The  college  stands 
for  the  right.  It  represents  the  best.  It  is  the  right  arm 
of  civilization.  The  whole  world  is  its  debtor.  Some 
college  boys  may  be  all  wrong ;   some  boys  may  make 


Higher  Education  37 

fools  of  themselves  anywhere  ;  yet  probably  they  make 
less  fools  of  themselves  in  college  than  they  would  out 
of  it. 

The  college  boy  who  is  a  failure  in  business  would 
have  been  a  failure  without  his  education.  The  boy, 
puffed  up  with  his  college  learning,  who  considers 
every  kind  of  toil  beneath  him,  is  an  unmitigated  ass, 
and  is  not  the  product  of  college  life,  but  an  offshoot  of 
low-grade  ancestry,  or  a  pervert  of  good  inheritance.  A 
college  education  will  not  hurt  any  boy  acquiring  it,  but 
it  may  be  a  waste  of  time  for  some  boys,  especially  for 
those  boys  who  do  not  care  enough  about  study  to  go 
beyond  the  common  school. 

The  boy  should  be  made  to  go  to  the  common  school, 
—  whipped  into  it,  if  necessary,  —  and  forced  to  re- 
ceive elementary  knowledge ;  but  undue  persuasion  and 
pressure  should  never  be  used  as  a  means  to  drive  him 
into  a  higher  institution  of  learning.  If  the  boy  has  a 
decided  and  positive  objection  to  going  to  college,  and 
is  able  to  give  reasonable  reasons  for  his  decision,  the 
parents  are  almost  criminally  wrong  if  they  attempt  to 
sentence  the  boy  into  what,  to  him,  is  little  more  than  an 
educational  jail.  Every  honorable  influence  and  advice 
are  justifiable,  and  should  be  used,  but  beyond  a  proper 
presentation  of  the  advantages  of  college,  and  an  expres- 
sion of  desire,  the  parents  have  no  right  to  go.  Every 
boy,  after  he  has  finished  his  common  school  course, 
has  vested  in  him  the  right  to  decide  upon  higher  edu- 
cational policy. 

The  boy  who  seems  to  care  only  for  business  be- 
cause he  loves  business,  who  cannot  be  made  to  take  an 
interest  in  anything  else,  and  does  not  seem  inclined 
toward  a  liberal  education,  had  better  enter  business 
from  the  high  school,  for  after  the  four  years,  without 
college,  he  will  be  better  off,  as  he  is  constituted,  than 
he  would  be  had  he  spent  four  years  in  college.  Per- 
haps a  broader  education  would  have  done  him  good, 
but  it  probably  would  not  have  been  worth  four  years  of 


38  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

his  time.  The  boy  who  does  not  know  much  of  any- 
thing will  not  know  much  more  by  going  to  college. 

A  college  course  does  not  always  assist  a  boy  in 
acquiring  riches.  It  is,  in  fact,  more  likely  to  broaden 
his  life,  to  deepen  his  thinking,  to  widen  his  reasoning, 
and  to  lift  him  into  a  higher  and  better  atmosphere. 

The  boy  who  ought  to  go  to  college  is  almost  always 
the  boy  who  wants  to  go  to  college.  The  boy  who 
wants  to  go  to  college  will  suffer  almost  any  hardship, 
and  make  almost  any  sacrifice,  to  obtain  his  desire. 

The  question  of  a  higher  education  may  be  safely  left 
to  the  boy.  If  it  will  benefit  him,  he  either  voluntarily 
wants  it,  or  he  can  be  made  to  want  it.  A  proper  pres- 
entation of  higher  educational  values  will  almost  in- 
variably send  the  boy  to  college,  or  to  other  high  in- 
stitution of  learning,  if  the  boy  will  be  benefited  by  it, 
and  certainly  the  boy  who  wants  to  go  should  go,  if  it  is 
possible,  and  he  should  be  willing  to  make  every  reason- 
able sacrifice,  and  so  should  his  parents,  for  that  which 
will  be  of  incomparable  value,  no  matter  what  his  future 
walk  in  life. 

Institutes  of  technology,  and  other  technical  schools, 
are  higher  institutions  of  learning,  and  rank  side  by  side 
with  our  universities.  They  are  thoroughly  adapted  to 
the  requirements  of  those  who  intend  to  enter  mechani- 
cal or  scientific  pursuits,  and  they  either  take  the  place 
of,  or  supplement,  the  regular  college. 

The  liberally  educated  man  sometimes  graduates 
from  college  and  also  from  the  technical  school,  but 
comparatively  few  enjoy  this  broad  privilege,  or  have 
the  time  to  receive  a  double  graduation,  and  probably  it 
is  not  necessary,  or  more  than  infrequently  advisable, 
on  account  of  the  time  required. 

The  technical  school  may  be  considered  indis- 
pensable to  the  boy  who  intends  to  enter  some  mechani- 
cal or  scientific  calling.  He  may  be  a  little  behind 
the  boy  who  started  four  years  before  him,  but  in  the 
end  he  will  pass  him.     This  scientific  education  is  im^r 


Higher  Education  3p 

parted  by  our  best  institutes  of  technology,  and  gives  a 
boy,  in  three  or  four  years,  what  he  is  not  likely  to 
obtain  in  double  that  number  of  years  at  work.  The 
better  trade,  mechanical,  and  scientific  positions  are 
almost  always  presented  to  graduates  of  the  higher 
class  scientific  schools. 

The  classical  college  may,  and  may  not,  be  a  good 
thing  for  the  boy  entering  business.  I  firmly  believe 
that  it  is,  and  I  would  advise  every  boy  intending  to  enter 
a  business,  or  a  profession,  to  receive  a  college  educa- 
tion ;  and  the  boy  who  intends  to  take  up  any  trade, 
or  a  mechanical  or  scientific  calling,  should  graduate 
from,  or,  at  the  least,  for  a  while  attend,  the  technical 
school. 

Every  boy  with  a  love  for,  and  a  proficiency  in, 
mechanics  will  have  an  unquenchable  thirst  for  a  tech- 
nical education,  and  he  will  make  any  reasonable  sacri- 
fice to  acquire  it.  The  boy  who  is  unwilling  to  strive 
for  a  scientific  school  diploma  does  not  possess  sufficient 
mechanical  genius  to  be  a  success,  or  if  he  does,  he  has 
not  the  ambition  to  use  his  ability. 

The  boy  who  wants  a  liberal  education,  and  ought  to 
have  it,  will  generally  show,  before  he  has  finished  the 
common  school  course,  a  marked  preference  and  a 
definite  desire  for  extended  learning. 

Parents  have  the  right  to  make  the  boy  want  to  go  to 
higher  institutions  of  learning,  but  they  have  not  the 
right  to  force  him  to  go  against  his  will. 

To  sum  up,  a  higher  education  is  a  grand  thing  for 
the  boy  who  wants  it,  or  who  can  be  made  to  want  it ; 
but  it  is  not  likely  to  be  a  good  thing  for  the  boy  who 
does  not  want  it,  or  who  cannot  be  made  to  see  that 
he  ought  to  have  it, 


Social  Associates 

"  There  are  two  worlds  below  —  the  home  and  outside  of  it  " 

INHERITANCE  counts.  The  child  of  healthy, 
intelligent  parents  is  predisposed  to  be  physically 
and  mentally  superior  to  the  offspring  of  diseased 
and  ignorant  parentage.  While  the  law  of  blood 
has  by  no  means  been  repudiated  by  the  scientist,  and 
never  will  be,  experience  and  modern  discovery  have 
exploded  some  of  the  theories  of  direct  inheritance,  and 
it  is  now  generally  considered  that,  outside  of  marked 
prenatal  physical  and  mental  characteristics,  the  child 
is  more  likely  to  inherit  a  tendency  than  to  receive  the 
good  or  bad  unchanged  from  his  forebears.  The  ances- 
tral strain  remains,  but  his  future  may  not  be  more  than 
influenced  by  it. 

Great  researchers  have  discovered  that  environment, 
as  well  as  blood,  shapes  the  prosperity  of  posterity. 
The  child  born  of  the  highest  grade  of  parentage,  with 
all  the  benefits  and  emoluments  of  healthy  intelligence, 
if  thrown  at  its  birth  into  the  worst  surroundings,  is 
more  likely  to  become  a  criminal  than  is  the  child  born 
of  questionable  family  and  given  the  best  of  bringing- 
up  environment.  Much  as  really  depends  upon  the  life 
which  goes  before  us,  we  are  as  dependent  upon  the  life 
which  lives  with  us. 

The  ''  now  "  is  often  of  more  vital  consequence  than 
the  *'was." 

The  school-boy  cannot  constantly  remain  under  the 
watchful  eye  of  his  parents,  or  of  his  teachers,  and  it  is 
a  good  thing  for  him  that  he  cannot.  Sooner  or  later 
he  must  leave  his  home  and  school,  and  it  is  well  for 
him  to  begin  early  to  feel  the  responsibility  of  his 
individuality.  Without  this  opportunity  he  is  not  prop- 
erly equipped  to  depend  upon  himself. 

40 


Social  Associates  41 

Temptation  came  into  the  world  for  the  good  of  the 
world.  Without  temptation,  there  would  be  no  virtue 
in  virtue.  The  boy  is  sure  to  see  the  world  as  the  world 
is,  and  he  is  no  match  for  the  world,  and  is  not  armored 
against  its  evil,  unless  he  knows  evil  from  good.  He 
will  burn  his  fingers,  if  he  does  not  know  that  the  fire  is 
hot.  The  boy  need  not  be  of  evil  to  see  evil.  He  will 
have  to  see  it,  and  the  more  he  is  fortified  against  it, 
the  more  he  can  overcome  it,  or  keep  away  from  it. 

Between  the  school  and  the  home  the  boy  must  ex- 
perience the  outside  world,  and  this  outside  world  has 
much  to  do  with  the  shaping  of  his  future,  and  may 
have  more  to  do  with  it  than  have  the  home  and  the 
school. 

Many  parents,  while  over-caring  for  the  boy  at  home 
and  over-watching  him  at  school,  forget  that  between 
times  the  boy  is  unavoidably  meeting  and  associating 
with  conditions  which  indelibly  impress  themselves  upon 
his  mind.  It  is  obvious  that  the  school-boy  cannot  be 
kept  from  coming  in  contact  with  questionable  charac- 
ters. Evil  is  on  both  sides  of  the  street,  and  the  boy 
must  see  it;  but  there  is  a  great  difference  between 
seeing  evil  and  living  with  it.  To  see  evil  is,  to  the 
boy  who  recognizes  it  as  evil,  a  strengthening  of  the 
good  that  is  in  him. 

Association  with  evil,  whether  the  boy  recognizes  it 
or  not,  weakens  every  mental  and  physical  fiber. 

There  are  times  when  it  is  necessary  for  the  parents  to 
restrain  the  boy  forcibly,  and  to  designate  whom  he  shall, 
and  whom  he  shall  not,  associate  with ;  but  this  dicta- 
tion should  be  avoided  if  possible,  for  dictation  produces 
antagonism,  and  the  opposed  child  receives  from  oppo- 
sition the  incentive  to  do  the  opposite. 

Kindly  advice  and  suggestion,  far  more  than  com- 
pulsion, will  keep  the  boy  within  the  right  circle  of 
environment. 

Parents  should  assist  the  boy  in  choosing  his  com- 
panions, but  should  not,  if  they  can  help  it,  arbitrarily 


42  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

select  the  boy's  associates  for  him.  The  machinery  of 
watchful  regulation  should  not  stare  the  boy  in  the  face. 
If  the  parents  are  the  boy's  companions,  the  boy's  most 
valuable  friends,  they,  with  the  boy,  can  easily,  with- 
out friction,  and  without  even  the  appearance  of  dicta- 
tion, elect  the  boy's  social  associates.  If  the  parents 
are  the  boy's  companions,  they  will  be  companionable 
to  the  boy's  other  companions,  and  this  mutual,  social 
association  will  keep  the  parents  in  direct  touch  with 
the  boy's  outside  surroundings ;  and  they  will  seldom,  if 
ever,  be  obliged  to  use  any  form  of  compulsion. 

Parents  cannot  hope  to  successfully  choose  compan- 
ions for  their  boys,  or  to  manage  their  social  life,  if 
they  are  not  companionable  to  other  boys,  and  enthusi- 
astically interested  in  everything  their  children  do,  but 
the  parents  should  not  force  this  companionship  upon 
their  boys.  The  desire  for  companionship,  to  be  good 
for  anything,  must  be  mutual. 

If  the  parents  do  not  know  how  to  be  companionable, 
and  cannot  learn,  the  boy  is  better  off  without  such  com- 
panionship. But  there  are  no  parents,  under  the  light 
of  a  civilized  sun,  who  cannot  be  decent  parents,  and 
companionable  ones,  if  they  want  to  be,  and  try  to  be ; 
and  this  companionship  no  decent  boy  will  resent,  and 
every  decent  boy  will  want  it,  and  welcome  it. 

To  bad  companions  and  unhealthy  surroundings  are 
due  most  of  the  failures  in  life.  The  boy's  school,  if  it 
goes  no  further  than  the  school-house,  and  the  boy's 
home,  if  it  does  not  reach  beyond  its  fence,  can  do  little 
for  the  boy  of  evil  associates.  The  school  should  go 
beyond  the  class-room  more  than  it  does ;  and  parents 
should  not  consider  the  home  limited  to  the  home-house. 
Both  should  extend  their  care  and  their  attention  into 
the  outside  life  of  the  boy,  that  the  influence  for  good 
may  surround  him  wherever  he  goes. 

The  school,  and  the  home,  too,  should  encourage  the 
formation  of  clubs,  —  not  loafing  clubs,  but  clubs  with 
some   definite    and  acceptable    purpose,  like  debating 


Social  Associates  43 

societies  and  associations  for  the  popular,  recreative 
study  of  any  kind  of  knowledge,  and  the  more  outdoor 
clubs  the  better. 

The  right  kind  of  club  life  instils  into  the  youthful 
mind  the  independence  of  self-respect. 

The  boy  is  far  better  in  a  rowing  club,  or  in  a  social 
club,  than  he  is  loafing  on  the  corner,  or  lounging 
at  home,  or  without  something  to  occupy  his  mind. 

Of  course,  the  club,  or  association,  must  be  guarded,  for 
sometimes  these  clubs  lead  to  evil ;  but  it  is  far  easier  to 
watch  and  regulate  evil  in  an  organization  than  it  is  to 
control  promiscuous  degradation. 

The  social  life  of  the  boy  is  no  less  important  than  is 
his  school  or  his  home  life,  and  its  influence  is  likely 
to  be  greater  and  farther  reaching  than  that  of  home 
and  school  combined. 

No  live  boy  can  live  without  associates.  The  boy, 
even  more  than  the  man,  demands  social  intercourse. 

It  may  be  said  that  there  are  three  factors  in  the 
development  of  youth :  the  home,  the  school,  and  the 
social  associate.  It  matters  not  which  is  the  most  im- 
portant, for  the  boy  demands,  and  must  have,  all  three. 
Any  one  of  them  can  ruin  him,  and  the  boy  needs  the 
strength  and  perfection  of  all  three  for  his  full  upbuild- 
ing and  development.  He  may  succeed  with  any  two 
of  them,  but  he  cannot  well  succeed  with  one  of  them, 
and  he  is  not  likely  to  reach  flush  result  unless  he 
has  what  he  needs  of  all  three  of  them.  Even  if  he 
does  succeed  with  the  odds  against  him,  he  probably 
would  have  succeeded  better  with  less  to  contend 
against. 

A  certain  amount  of  hardship  may  be  necessary  for 
the  best  rounding-out  of  the  boy,  but  undue  hardships 
are  opposed  to  healthiest  growth. 

The  boy  with  a  good  opportunity  stands  a  better  show 
than  the  boy  with  a  poor  opportunity. 

The  boy,  strong  enough  and  great  enough  in  character 
to  win  against  obstacles,  will  win  the  easier,  and  hi§ 


44  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

success  will  be  greater,  if  he  has  to  run  against  not 
more  than  ordinary  hindrances. 

The  boy  with  nothing  in  him  will  not  succeed  anyway. 

Help  is  worth  more  than  obstacle.  Some  obstruction 
may  help.  Complete  obstruction  is  insurmountable. 
Too  much  help  stultifies  ambition.  Help  and  obstacle 
in  right  proportion,  help  predominating,  are  aids  to 
progress. 

The  boy's  social  associates  may  be  considered  as  one, 
if  not  the  most,  important  factor  in  the  building  of  the 
boy's  success. 

The  world,  to  the  boy,  is  as  his  associates  see  it,  and 
they  arouse,  or  dull,  his  ambition  and  shape  his  course. 

If  his  parents  are  of  his  associates,  the  boy  is  far 
better  off ;  but  his  parents  alone  cannot  fill  his  require- 
ments. 

The  boy  must  have  outside  acquaintances  and  friends. 
He  must  have  an  outside  life,  distinct  from  his  school 
and  his  immediate  home.  This  life  he  cannot  avoid, 
and  he  is  not  likely  to  succeed  without  it.  The  more 
the  school  and  the  parents  go  out  into  this  life,  help  to 
regulate  it,  to  encourage  the  best  of  it  and  discourage 
the  worst  of  it,  the  better  it  will  be  for  the  boy  and  for 
the  community. 

Steer  the  boy  with  the  tiller  of  good- willed  sense  into 
his  harbor  of  success ;  don't  haul  him  with  the  hawser 
of  wilful  might  into  the  breakers  of  disaster. 

If  he  can  swim,  let  him  swim. 


Starting  at  Work 

*'  They're  off  !   Let's  follow  them  " 

THE  boy  from  the  common  school,  whether  a 
graduate  or  not,  usually  begins  his  working 
or  business  career  at  the  lowest  round  of  liveli- 
hood's ladder.  The  graduate  or  undergraduate 
of  the  higher  institutions  of  learning  may  begin  his 
business  or  professional  life  as  a  boy,  or  he  may  be 
able  to  start  at  the  second  or  third  round  of  the  ladder ; 
but  if  he  starts  at  the  bottom,  he  is  not  likely  to  remain 
long  in  that  position.  The  graduate  of  a  recognized 
institute  of  technology  has  back  of  him  systematic, 
practical  training,  and  seldom  begins  at  the  lowest 
point. 

Comparatively  few  boys  or  young  men  entering 
trade,  business,  or  profession  are  self-supporting  at  the 
start,  and  not  many  of  them  are  able  to  maintain  them- 
selves in  moderate  comfort  until  a  few,  or  several, 
years  have  elapsed. 

The  early  years  at  work  should  be  considered,  by  the 
boy  and  by  his  parents,  an  extension  of  school.  For 
two  or  three  years  the  boy  may  be  worth  little  to 
his  employer,  but  everything  to  himself.  No  matter 
how  well  the  school  may  have  prepared  him,  there 
is  a  difference  between  pedagogic  knowledge  and  the 
practical  practice  of  business. 

The  prospects  of  the  boy  are  of  far  more  consequence 
than  what  he  receives  or  can  receive  during  the  open- 
ing years  at  work.  It  is  better  to  utart  on  a  few  dollars  a 
week,  if  the  boy  can  afford  it,  with  prospects  of  profit- 
able advancement,  than  to  begin  on  much  more  with 
little  opportunity  for  material  increase  and  with  limited 
possibilities. 

Many  well-to-do   parents  are    sufficient-unto-the-day 

45 


46  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

people.  They  demand  for  their  boys  immediate  pro- 
gression, at  the  sacrifice  of  future  prospects.  They  con- 
sider a  cent-in-present-hand  better  than  a  dollar-in-the- 
bush-of-futures.  They  will  not  allow  their  boys  to  place 
prospect  ahead  of  present,  nor  permit  them  to  occupy 
places  of  opportunity  at  low  pay,  preferring  lower- 
grade  positions  at  higher  salaries. 

Again,  let  me  caution  parents  against  forcing  the 
boy  into  any  calling  against  his  well-defined  dislike. 
The  boy  old  enough  to  work  is  too  old  to  be  coerced. 
He  has  self-rights,  which  must  be  respected.  He  has 
now  begun  to  shift  for  himself.  He  is  laying  in  place 
the  corner  stone  of  his  career,  and,  although  he  will  not 
erect  the  monument  for  many  years,  he  cannot,  without 
great  loss  to  himself,  shift  or  re-lay  the  initial  stone, 
unless  it  prove  to  be  too  weak  to  build  upon. 

The  boy's  success  depends  in  no  small  measure  upon 
the  way  he  starts.  If  he  wants  to  be  a  storekeeper,  or 
a  mechanic,  or  a  professionalist,  and  can  give  sensible 
reason  for  his  choice,  he  is  probably  the  best  fitted  to 
enter  the  circle  of  his  tendency.  Love  for  his  work 
may  not  be  essential  to  success,  but  love  for  what  he  is 
doing  stimulates  ambition  and  lubricates  the  hard  bear- 
ings. 

Love  plus  capacity  conquers  all  things.  Capacity 
without  love  may  succeed.  Love  without  capacity  may 
not  make  a  complete  failure.  But  love  with  capacity 
always  wins. 

Inclinations  or  desires  are  indications  of  capability. 
What  one  wants  to  do  is  very  likely  to  be  what  he  can 
best  do.  What  one  does  not  want  to  do,  he  may  learn 
to  want  to  do ;  but  what  one  does  not  want  to  do,  and 
cannot  or  does  not  learn  to  want  to  do,  is  not  likely  to 
be  well  done.  Many  a  boy  thinks  he  wants  to  do  what 
he  really  does  not  want  to  do,  and  many  a  boy  thinks 
he  does  not  want  to  do  what  he  can  easily  learn  to  want 
to  do.  The  boy  with  a  sensible  want  can  always  present 
substantial   reason   for   his  selection.     This  reason,  in 


Starting  at  Work  47 

ninety-nine  cases  out  of  a  hundred,  is  sufficient  for  the 
right  of  choice. 

Wise  parents  have  been  for  several  years  watching 
the  boy  closely,  recording  his  likes  and  dislikes,  and 
his  apparent  capacity  for  the  work  of  his  future.  The 
boy  is  beginning  to  become  a  man.  He  has  entered 
the  critical  state  of  his  life,  where  mistakes  cannot  be 
corrected  without  damage  and  expense.  Parents  should 
come  closer  to  him  than  ever  before,  should  talk  with 
him,  advise  with  him,  and  aid  him  to  see  both  sides  of 
his  probable  career. 

If  the  boy  chooses  to  go  one  way,  let  that  way  be 
opened  to  him  in  realistic  perspective,  that  he  may,  as 
far  as  possible  in  advance,  appreciate  what  is  before 
him.  If  the  boy  has  the  right  stuff  in  him,  and  the 
ability  to  walk  in  his  chosen  path,  he  will  weigh  both 
the  goods  and  the  bads,  and  back  his  decision  with  the 
argument  of  stability  and  enthusiasm. 

The  vacillating  boy,  who  wants  to  be  a  lawyer  on 
Monday,  a  doctor  on  Tuesday,  a  minister  on  Wednes- 
day, a  merchant  on  Thursday,  an  engineer  on  Friday, 
a  sailor  on  Saturday,  and  a  loafer  on  Sunday,  must  get 
concentration,  or  he  will  be  a  failure.  Of  course,  the 
boy  is  not  expected  to  be  a  wall  of  permanency,  and 
conditions  will  move  him  from  one  side  to  another ; 
but  the  boy,  likely  to  be  a  success  through  life,  gen- 
erally has,  even  in  school,  some  well-defined  prefer- 
ence, which  he  will  not  willingly  give  up  unless  it  is 
shown  him  that  he  has  chosen  unwisely. 

What  the  boy  is  fit  for,  not  what  the  parents  want 
him  to  do,  is  of  the  mightiest  importance.  The  boy 
ready  for  work,  while  not  altogether  his  own  master, 
has  some  of  the  rights  of  eminent  domain,  which  rights, 
if  he  be  a  sensible  boy,  he  will  exercise,  under  parental 
advice,  if  his  parents  are  what  they  should  be.  To  tie 
the  boy  up  by  limitations  and  restrictions,  without  con- 
sideration of  his  desire,  ambition,  and  ability,  is  not 
only  unnatural,  but  positively  criminal.     I  have  no  sym- 


48  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

pathy  with  unruly  sons,  nor  do  I  believe  that  the  boy 
under  age  is,  by  right  of  law  or  by  right  of  Nature,  the 
full  master  of  himself ;  he  must  conform  to  the  laws  of 
his  country  and  to  the  rules  of  respectability,  and  if  he 
does  not  he  must  be  made  to  do  so  or  be  punished.  But 
a  part  of  the  right  to  shape  his  future  course  is  his,  and 
really  more  his  than  it  is  anybody  else's. 

True  parents  consider  what  is  best  for  the  boy,  not 
what  is  best  for  themselves.  They  respect  the  boy ; 
they  use  neither  coercion  nor  force ;  they  help  the  boy 
to  decide ;  and  when  he  has  decided,  they  assist  him  in 
substantiating  the  wisdom  of  his  choice. 

The  first  year  of  the  boy's  wage-earning  life,  whether 
it  be  in  the  shop,  in  the  office,  or  in  a  profession,  is  the 
boy's  most  vital  year  of  all.  This  year  shapes  the  course 
of  his  future.  What  he  does  during  the  first  year  will 
never  be  forgotten,  and  if  he  does  what  is  right  and 
best,  he  has  made  a  great  advance  towards  permanent 
success.  If  what  he  does  is  wrong,  he  has  to  begin 
over  again  and  unlearn  what  he  has  learned. 

What  the  first  year  will  lead  to,  not  the  emoluments 
of  the  first  year,  counts.  The  boy  at  work,  for  the  first 
few  years,  at  least,  is  really  at  school,  and  his  position 
should  be  considered,  by  himself  and  by  his  parents, 
that  of  the  student,  provided,  of  course,  that  his  parents 
are  able  to  maintain  him.  If  they  are  not,  the  boy  is  at 
a  disadvantage,  and  has  to  work  for  present  money  as 
well  as  for  future  profit.  It  matters  little,  if  the  parents 
are  fairly  well-to-do,  what  the  boy  is  paid  at  the  start, 
but  what  he  receives  in  experience  and  training  during 
the  first  years  at  work  is  of  the  greatest  consequence. 

The  same  interest,  which  proper  parents  give  to  the 
boy's  studies  at  school  and  to  his  social  life,  should 
continue  indefinitely.  The  boy  at  work,  even  more  than 
the  boy  at  school,  needs  parental  companionship  and 
the  good-will  glow  of  the  home-light. 


Business  or  Profession 

<<  *Tis  work,  hard  work,  choose  what  you  will'* 

THE  art  of  business,  broadly  defined,  consists  of 
the  work  of  buying  and  selling  and  that  which 
is  accessory  to  them.  As  broadly  defining  a 
profession,  it  may  be  considered  as  the  market- 
ing of  the  mind;  the  exchange  of  thought  or  knowl- 
edge for  money  or  for  other  consideration,  or  without 
remuneration  save  a  desire  to  benefit  others  and  assist 
progress. 

If  the  boy  is  after  money,  and  only  after  money,  his 
chances  in  business  are  much  greater  than  they  are 
hkely  to  be  in  any  professional  calling.  Substantially 
all  wealthy  men  are  business  men  or  combine  business 
with  professionalism.  The  majority  of  exclusively 
professional  men  of  ability  earn  a  livelihood,  but  only 
a  small  proportion  of  them  obtain  a  competenc3%  The 
bottom  of  the  professions  is  crowded  to  starvation ;  the 
top  is  well  fed. 

Figuring  upon  the  law  of  averages,  —  usually  a  safe 
rule  to  follow,  —  the  chance  of  reaching  any  professional 
top  is,  for  the  many,  not  much  easier  than  crawling 
through  the  eye  of  a  needle.  Thousands  of  lawyers, 
ministers,  authors,  professors,  and  other  professional  men 
have  little  marked  ability,  and  are  lacking  in  magnetism, 
mental  strength,  energy,  and  force  of  character,  and  are 
incapacitated  for  properly  distributing  their  knowledge, 
and,  therefore,  remain  mediocres ;  existing,  and  doing 
little  more.  It  has  been  said,  and  not  wholly  without 
truth,  that  one  could  stand  with  a  professional  <«  want" 
sign  in  the  middle  of  any  city  hall  park  and  be  mobbed 
by  educated  applicants,  so  numerous  are  the  out-of-work 
professionals. 

Only   men  of  extraordinary  ability  and   indomitable 

49 


50  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

perseverance  get  beyond  the  first  two  or  three  rounds 
of  the  professional  ladder. 

The  boy  physically  or  mentally  weak,  and  devoid 
of  marked  ability,  has  no  business  to  dabble  in  the  pro- 
fessions. He  had  better  be  the  best  something  else 
than  be  the  poorest  lawyer. 

The  professional  field  is  jammed,  and  only  the  strong- 
est can  force  their  way  beyond  the  line  of  mediocrity. 

The  average  boy  had  better  go  into  business  or  into 
some  trade.  In  business,  if  he  is  industrious,  he  is  apt  to 
make  a  living ;  but  industry,  energy,  perseverance,  and 
ambition  are  worth  little  in  the  professions,  unless  re- 
inforced by  ability,  learning,  and  adaptability. 

Mere  education,  in  itself,  is  worth  comparatively 
nothing.  The  good  of  knowledge  is  in  the  ability  of 
the  holder  to  use  it. 

There  are  thousands  of  thoroughly  sincere  and  noble 
ministers,  conscientiously  and  persistently  laboring  for 
God,  who  are  dismal  failures  —  impediments  in  the 
way  of  religious  progress.  There  are  many  others, 
full  of  ambition,  who  injure  by  their  inability.  They 
have  neither  the  skilled  hand  nor  the  mental  power 
of  adaptiveness,  and  without  these  two  no  one  has  a 
right  to  hang  out  a  professional  sign.  There  are  lawyers 
who  might  have  been  good  business  men,  yet  they  are 
distinct  failures,  because,  with  all  their  persistency  and 
storage  of  knowledge,  they  lack  the  essential  capacity 
to  handle  what  they  have. 

Professional  men  of  success  are  born  to  their  profes- 
sions, and  are  helped  into  them  by  education,  training, 
and  opportunity.  The  weak  may  make  himself  stronger ; 
the  dull  may  quicken  his  faculties ;  the  fool  may  lose  a 
part  of  his  folly ;  but  the  flush  of  professional  success  — 
yes,  even  a  fair  degree  of  professional  success  —  de- 
mands natural  ability  and  adaptability,  along  with  the 
training  of  school  and  experience. 

The  boy  of  ambition,  with  a  desire  to  be  famous, 
naturally  turns  towards  the  professions,  and  often  enters 


Business  or  Profession  51 

them  because  a  conceited  father  or  a  silly  mother  had 
not  sense  enough  to  keep  from  pushing  him  into  disaster. 
True,  business  men  may  not  as  often  succeed  in  politics, 
and  some  statesmen  spring  from  the  ranks  of  trade, 
but  it  must  be  remembered  that  not  one  man  in  many 
thousands,  who  strives  for  political  fame,  journeys  be- 
yond the  ward- room.  There  are  several  reasons  why 
the  business  man  does  not  always  succeed  in  politics. 
The  first  is  because  he  is  not  adapted  to  politics  as  politics 
now  is,  for  if  he  were,  he  probably  would  not  have  been 
a  business  man.  The  second  reason  is  that  the  business 
man  of  success  does  not  often  get  outside  of  money- 
making,  and  is  so  closely  devoted  to  his  business  that 
he  forgets  to  exercise  the  full  right  of  citizenship. 

The  march  of  civilization  needs  more  business  men  as 
leaders ;  and,  in  the  better  forms  of  business,  men  will 
recognize  the  want  of  highest  and  best  trained  intellec- 
tuality. When  the  ethics  of  professionalism  permeate 
the  marts  of  trade,  business  will  be  on  a  higher  plane 
and  nearer  to  civilization's  requirement. 

The  college  boy,  loaded  with  education,  but  without 
the  ability  to  aim  it,  assumes  that,  because  he  is  loaded, 
he  ought  to  discharge  himself  into  the  professions,  irre- 
spective of  his  skill  at  marksmanship  and  of  the  fact 
that  there  are  more  professional  guns  than  there  are 
positions  to  fire  at. 

Education  is  no  excuse  for  professionalism.  It  does 
not  fit  the  incompetent  for  anything.  Because  the  boy 
wants  to  be  a  professional  man  is  not  necessarily  the 
reason  why  he  should  be.  If  he  is  likely  to  succeed  in 
that  line  of  labor,  he  will,  before  he  has  finished  his 
common  school  education,  show  some  characteristics, 
which  will  give  his  parents,  his  teachers,  and  the  people 
who  know  him  reason  to  believe  that  he  is  peculiarly 
fitted  for  the  practice  of  some  profession. 

Few  professional  men  of  success  have  failed  to  show 
professional  instincts  while  they  were  boys.  The  boy, 
with  professional    stuff   in  him,    who    has    ability    for 


52  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

professional  life,  and  who  is  likely  to  make  a  success 
in  it,  is  filled  with  determination  and  persistence,  and 
no  small  opposition  or  obstacle  is  likely  to  discourage 
him. 

It  may  be  difficult  to  determine  what  kind  of  business, 
or  profession,  the  boy  is  best  fitted  for ;  but  it  is  gener- 
ally easy  to  form  a  reasonable  opinion,  after  the  boy 
has  passed  his  sixteenth  year,  whether  he  had  better  go 
into  a  profession  or  into  business. 

The  best  rule  to  follow  is  to  let  Nature  take  its  course. 
Nature,  untroubled,  is  more  likely  to  draw  out  the  real 
qualities;  but  the  boy  must  be  closely  watched,  for 
Nature  is  sometimes  perverted. 

The  boy's  desire  may  not  always  spring  from  natural 
sources. 

The  boy  should  not  be  forced  business-ward,  or 
towards  the  professions.  There  should  be  placed  before 
him  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  both  profes- 
sion and  business,  that  he  may  see  both  sides ;  and 
every  effort  should  be  made  to  determine  whether  his 
desire  is  founded  upon  fact  or  is  a  passing  fancy. 

Parents  should  not  depend  upon  their  own  judgment 
and  experience  ;  they  should  count  upon  others.  Few, 
indeed,  even  those  of  the  greatest  experience,  are  suffi- 
ciently advanced  to  decide  by  themselves  alone  what  is 
best  for  the  boy. 

Much  advice  is  poor  stuff.  There  is,  however,  plenty 
of  good  advice,  —  advice  founded  upon  sound  common 
sense,  which  parents  should  obtain  and  thoroughly  mix 
with  their  own  opinions,  before  taking  any  positive 
stand. 

Unfortunately,  the  great  majority  of  boys  do  not  pos- 
sess marked  ability,  and  therefore  are  not  likely  to  more 
than  moderately  succeed.  These  boys,  very  likely,  will 
not  choose  for  themselves.  They  will  drift  into  some- 
thing, and  will  be  greatly  influenced  by  others. 

If  the  boy's  chum  is  going  to  be  a  lawyer,  the  boy  may 
feel  sure  that  the  law  is  his  forte.     If  his  best  friend  is 


Business  or  Profession  53 

going  into  business,  the  boy's  choice  may  turn  in  that 
direction.  Teachers  and  parents  here  confront  a  grave 
responsibility,  for  the  boy's  success  in  life  depends 
largely  upon  their  direction  and  influence. 

Parental  ambition  and  gratification  should  not  be 
allowed  a  voice.  What  the  boy  is  fitted  for  is  the 
one  great  consideration. 

The  boy  with  a  well-defined  proficiency  is  generally 
safe  if  left  to  himself;  but  the  boy  without  any  pro- 
nounced tendency,  or  inclination,  must  be  followed  with 
the  nicest  care,  and  directed  and  advised,  that  he  may 
not  make  a  failure,  if  he  cannot  make  a  complete 
success. 

Not  what  the  parents  want  the  boy  to  do,  but  what 
the  boy  is  likely  to  be  able  to  do  is  what  the  boy  should 
be  trained  to  do. 

What  he  can  do  best  for  himself,  and  for  others,  is  the 
best  thing  for  him  to  do. 


Working  for  Himself 

"  Let  us  be  Captains  of  Ourselves  " 

THE  boy  of  success  or  the  successful  man  always 
works  for  himself,  whether  he  be  a  wage-earner 
on  a  large  or  a  small  salary,  or  the  manager  or 
proprietor  of  a  business.  The  salary-receiver 
or  the  wage-earner  who  does  not  work  for  himself 
never  rises  from  the  ranks.  We  belong  to  ourselves, 
as  well  as  to  others,  and  our  duty  to  ourselves  is  a  part 
of  our  first  duty.  God  made  us  keepers  of  ourselves, 
and  He  holds  us  responsible  for  what  we  do  with  our- 
selves, as  well  as  for  what  we  do  with  others  and  for 
others. 

Nobody  can  do  his  duty  to  others  who  does  not  do 
his  duty  to  himself.  He  who  cannot  care  for  himself 
is  useless  to  others.  The  selfish  think  only  of  them- 
selves, and  the  duty  that  they  perform  to  themselves  is 
the  duty  of  selfishness.  The  real  duty-doer  is  good  to 
himself,  that  he  may  be  of  equal,  or  more,  benefit  to 
others. 

The  boy  who  thinks  only  of  his  employer's  interest  is 
seldom  worth  much  to  himself  or  to  his  employer.  He 
is  simply  a  fanatic  weakling,  morbid  with  perverted 
conscientiousness. 

The  boy  who  serves  his  own  interest  at  the  expense 
of  his  employer  is  dishonest  to  himself,  as  well  as  to  the 
one  he  works  for. 

The  boy  most  faithful  to  his  employer  is  he  who  joins 
his  employer's  interest  to  his  self-interest  in  faithful 
partnership. 

While  working  for  his  employer  the  boy  is  working 
for  himself ;  while  working  for  himself  he  is  working 
for  his  employer.  There  is  no  other  proper  way  for 
the  propagation  of  intelligent  faithfulness.     This  boy  is 

54 


Working  for  Himself  55 

not  on  time  because  he  is  told  to  be  on  time,  but  is  on 
time  because  it  is  best  to  be  on  time.  He  is  as  faithful 
behind  his  employer's  back  as  he  is  before  his  face, 
because  his  duty  to  his  employer,  and  his  duty  to 
himself,  demand  it. 

The  boy  of  success  does  his  best,  whether  underpaid, 
well  paid,  or  overpaid.  He  is  faithful  to  himself  in  all 
things,  and  faithfulness  to  himself  is  impossible  without 
faithfulness  to  his  employer.  He  is  working  for  him- 
self, and  the  harder  he  works  for  his  employer  the  more 
he  works  for  himself.  This  boy  has  self-respect.  He 
is  jealous  of  his  rights,  but  he  is  not  a  faultfinder,  nor  is 
he  often  contesting  the  rules  of  business  discipline. 
Because  he  is  working  for  himself,  he  is  willing  to  work 
overtime,  his  health  permitting.  Because  he  is  work- 
ing for  himself,  he  attempts  to  make  himself  of  value  to 
his  employer,  fully  realizing  that  the  more  he  is  worth 
to  his  employer,  the  more  he  is  worth  to  himself. 

The  boy  who  is  not  working  for  himself  is  worth 
little  to  his  employer,  is  faultfinding,  dissatisfied,  and 
irresponsible,  and  is  trying  to  see  how  little  he  can  do, 
is  afraid  of  doing  too  much,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
great  army  of  failures. 

Nobody  can  do  anything  for  himself  worth  doing 
without  doing  for  others,  nor  can  any  one  profitably 
do  for  others  without  doing  for  himself.  This  holds 
good  in  business  and  out  of  it.  The  philanthropist  ex- 
changes his  labor  or  his  money  for  righteous  satisfac- 
tion, and  as  'he  gives,  he  receives  more  than  equivalents 
in  imperishable  drafts,  eternally  unoutlawable. 


In  Business  for  Himself 

"  Mine  to  Command  *' 

EVERY  one  who  works  is  in  business  for  himself, 
or  is  somebody's  employee.  Thousands  of  men 
in  business  for  themselves  do  not  receive  as 
much  as  men  on  average  salaries,  and  the  re- 
verse is  also  true ;  yet  the  man  in  business  for  himself 
has,  or  should  have,  better  prospects  than  the  man 
on  a  salary,  and  substantially  all  wealthy  men  are  in 
business  for  themselves. 

The  advantage  of  working  on  salary  is  largely  in  the 
lesser  worry  and  lesser  responsibility. 

The  salaried  man,  so  long  as  he  is  employed  by  an 
established  house  and  retains  his  health,  is  reasonably 
sure  of  being  a  permanency,  and  of  knowing  about 
what  to  expect  year  by  year.  He  is  a  fixture,  and 
rests  in  his  security. 

The  man  in  business  for  himself  seldom  has  a 
definitely  settled  income.  He  makes  something  or 
much  one  year,  little  or  nothing  the  next  year,  and 
perhaps  runs  behind  the  third  year.  His  income  varies 
with  trade  conditions ;  but  his  prospects  are  better,  he 
has  more  to  work  for,  and  he  enjoys  greater  satisfaction 
than  can  the  salary-receiver  or  wage-earner. 

Comparatively  few  begin  in  business  for  themselves. 
Almost  every  one  starts  as  a  wage-receiver,  then  be- 
comes salaried,  and  either  remains  there,  or  enters 
business  for  himself. 

Many  a  man  is  entirely  incapable  of  assuming  re- 
sponsibility. He  is  a  success  as  the  led,  but  not  as 
the  leader.  He  lacks  the  courage  or  willingness  to 
assume  responsibility  and  the  ability  of  handling 
others.  He  was  born  for  a  salaried  man,  and  a 
salaried  man  he  had  better  remain.     If  he  goes  into 

s6 


In  Business  for  Himself  57 

business  for  himself,  the  chances  are  that  he  will  fail, 
or  live  close  to  impending  disaster. 

The  boy  of  capacity,  of  energy,  of  aggressiveness, 
of  concentration,  of  application,  of  ambition,  should 
enter  business  v^ith  the  idea  of  going  into  business  for 
himself  when  he  has  had  the  necessary  experience  and 
the  right  opportunity  arrives.  This  sort  of  boy  seldom 
remains  on  a  salary.  The  highest  rank  of  employee 
does  not  satisfy  him.  He  will  command,  and  he  either 
becomes  a  manager  or  a  proprietor. 

The  successful  salaried  man  may  or  may  not  be  a 
good  financier.  The  successful  man  in  business  for 
himself  has  to  be  a  good  financier.  Unless  one  has 
the  capacity  of  financiering  he  has  no  business  to  be 
in  business  for  himself. 

In  business  for  one's  self  generally  requires  consider- 
able capital,  and  it  is  becoming  more  and  more  difficult 
to  properly  start  and  maintain  an  independent  concern. 

Lack  of  capital,  as  well  as  lack  of  business  capacity, 
is  a  rock  that  many  a  business  is  wrecked  upon. 
Sufficient  capital  appears  to  be  of  vital  consequence. 
Lack  of  sufficient  capital,  even  with  enormous  capacity 
and  ability,  may  not  be  able  to  successfully  meet 
competition. 

The  time  to  start  in  business  for  himself  is  when  one 
is  ready,  sufficiently  equipped  with  experience  and 
capital,  or  with  proper  backing  in  lieu  of  capital. 

Borrowed  capital  may  and  may  not  be  advisable. 
Authorities  differ.  Many  a  successful  business  has 
failed  because  of  borrowed  money,  and  many  a  great 
financier  owes  his  start  to  what  he  borrowed. 

There  is  so  great  a  risk  about  borrowing,  that  one 
cannot  well  frame  general  rules  for  its  action.  Circum- 
stances, almost  always  special  in  each  case,  must 
govern.     But  when  in  doubt,  don't  borrow. 

The  young  man  of  experience  and  ability,  well 
trained,  and  with  a  sound  business  head,  has  three 
avenues  open  to  him.     First,  to  make  himself  so  in- 


58  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

dispensable  that  the  firm  he  is  with  will  be  anxious  to 
give  him  either  a  commanding  position  or  to  assist  him 
in  obtaining  an  interest  in  the  ownership ;  second,  the 
making  of  a  connection  with  some  man  of  money,  who 
is  willing  to  pit  his  cash  against  the  young  man's  ex- 
perience ;  third,  the  conservative  borrowing  of  capital. 

How  the  borrowed  money  is  obtained  is  of  as  much 
importance  as  the  money  itself.  The  lender  is  a  factor 
of  consequence,  and  virtually  a  partner  in  the  enter- 
prise. If  he  is  a  Shylock,  he  is  not  safe  to  deal  with. 
If  he  is  incompetent  to  lend,  he  may  be  dangerous,  for 
he  is  likely  to  make  it  too  easy  for  the  young  man  to 
borrow. 

Every  young  man,  unless  he  is  convinced  that  he  is 
incapacitated  for  proprietorship,  should  look  forward  to 
being  in  business  for  himself ;  but  he  should  not  make 
this  move  until  he  can  show  evidence,  to  himself  and  to 
others,  that  he  is  fitted  to  go  alone,  or  with  partners, 
when  the  opportune  moment  arrives. 

Thousands  of  young  men,  fitted  to  go  into  business 
for  themselves,  have  lost  their  opportunities  by  waiting 
too  long ;  and  a  portion  of  the  failures  are  undoubtedly 
due  to  the  premature  entering  of  business  for  one's  self. 

Success  is  the  culmination  of  one's  **  bests."  If  he 
is  best  fitted  to  financially  go  alone,  well  and  good.  If 
he  is  not  sure  of  himself,  and  discriminating  others 
are  not  reasonably  certain  of  his  managerial  capability, 
then  he  probably  is  not  competent  to  go  into  business  for 
himself. 

The  top  isn't  crowded ;  but  the  way  to  the  top  is  one 
great  hurdle  race  of  difficulty  —  rough  and  rugged, 
strewn  with  the  bones  of  failure  and  the  wrecks  of 
disappointed  ambition  and  consuming  avarice. 

Are  you  equipped  for  the  journey?  If  so,  push  on. 
If  not,  pause,  and  better  qualify  yourself. 

Wait,  but  do  not  wait  too  long.  Start,  but  do  not 
start  until  you  know  that  you  are  ready^ 


Employer  and  Employee 

"As  he  was  commanded,  so  may  he  command  ** 

THE  leader  must  know  more  than  the  led.  The 
best  army,  uncommanded,  has  the  weakness 
of  the  mob.  The  generals  of  history  and  of 
the  present,  headlessly  massed  together,  would 
stampede  at  sight  of  the  enemy. 

The  discipline  of  business  demands  commanders. 
The  leader  of  success  is  not  a  driver  of  slaves.  He 
rules  by  discipline ;  yet  his  dictates  are  neither  hard 
nor  cruel. 

Business  would  be  unprofitable,  unruly,  discon- 
nected, unmaintainable,  and  could  not  be  successfully 
maneuvred,  if  the  employee  did  not  recognize,  within 
working  hours,  his  employer  as  his  superior;  and,  as 
business  is  now  conducted,  it  appears  to  be  necessary 
for  the  employer  to  consider  the  employee,  for  the  time 
being,  as  a  member  of  the  ranks. 

Commercially,  the  employer  is  better  than  the  em- 
ployee, until  the  employee  becomes  an  employer.  The 
employer  and  the  employee  of  necessity  occupy  differ- 
ent positions, — the  one  the  disciplinarian,  the  other  the 
subject  of  discipline. 

No  decent  man  or  boy  objects  to  discipline,  nor  will 
he  ever  receive  in  an  improper  spirit  any  legitimate  order. 

The  management  of  successful  business,  robbed  of 
the  pomp  and  showiness  of  military  life,  requires  the 
same  general  practice  of  discipline,  —  one  in  command 
and  another  under  command,  —  one,  in  a  sense, 
superior  to  the  other. 

The  employer  may  occupy  a  lower  social  position 
than  does  the  employee,  and  in  the  grand  wind-up  of 
human  affairs  may  sit  behind  his  help  in  the  arena  of 
justice ;   but  in  business  the  employer  is  at  the  head 

59 


6o  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

of  his  house,  and  the  employee,  during  business  hours, 
must  consider  his  employer  his  superior  officer,  and 
give  him  the  commercial  respect  his  commercial  posi- 
tion commands. 

No  man  or  boy  ever  successfully  directed  anything 
w^ho  had  not  been  as  successfully  directed.  The  com- 
mander always  springs  from  the  ranks  of  the  com- 
manded. 

The  boy  who  cannot  be  ordered  will  never  rise  to 
order  others.  The  boy  who  is  restless  under  disci- 
pline is  never  likely  to  get  out  of  the  ranks.  The  boy 
who  is  constantly  finding  fault  with  the  office  rules 
and  other  regulations  essential  to  the  conduct  of  busi- 
ness will  probably  never  attain  more  than  subordinate 
position.  The  boy  who  objects  to  the  reasonable  rules 
of  school  is  likely  to  rebel  against  the  more  strenuous 
laws  of  business  and  will  not  succeed  until  he  learns  that 
obedience  is  one  of  the  essentials  of  progress. 

During  the  hours  of  business  the  employee  must  obey 
the  employer,  or  leave  his  employ ;  and  so  long  as  the 
employer  remains  the  employer,  he  is  entitled  to  willing 
and  faithful  service  from  the  employee.  Commercially 
speaking,  he  knows  more  than  the  employee,  and  the 
employee  must  consider  him,  for  the  time  being  at 
least,  his  superior,  or  resign. 

Unwilling  and  frictionable  service  is  never  the  best 
service,  and  the  out-of-place  employee  can  have  no 
respect  for  himself  if  he  allows  himself  to  remain, 
unless  continuance  be  unavoidable. 

Success  never  presented  itself  to  an  undisciplined 
man.  Discipline  and  obedience  are  essential  to  the 
management  of  everything,  —  the  first  and  necessary 
lessons  to  be  taught  the  boy,  —  at  home,  at  school, 
and  in  the  great  institution  of  business. 


Parents 

"  The  oldest  and  wisest  were  born  young  " 

BECAUSE  parents  are  older  than  their  children, 
and  because  they  have  the  knowledge  and  ex- 
perience which  only  years  can  give,  they  are 
by  Nature  and  by  law  delegated  to  support  and 
develop  their  offspring. 

Presumably  for  the  good  of  the  child,  human  law  has 
vested  in  the  parents  eminent  domain  rights,  which  the 
parents,  subject  only  to  governmental  and  social  regu- 
lation, may  exercise  at  will. 

It  is,  unfortunately,  a  fact  that  a  proportion  of  parents 
—  perhaps  larger  than  some  think  and  perhaps  smaller 
than  others  estimate  —  are  neither  fitted  to  master  them- 
selves nor  to  master  their  children,  and  are  totally  in- 
capacitated to  have  the  charge  of  anything,  be  it  beast 
or  boy.  Our  present  grade  of  civilization  has  not  yet 
been  able  to  regulate  and  control  these  irresponsible 
people,  nor  to  prevent  them  from  executing  the  rights 
of  parentage. 

Parents  who  cannot  govern  themselves  certainly 
should  not  be  allowed  to  control  their  offspring. 

Parents  who  cannot  command  the  respect  of  the  com- 
munity are  not  likely  to  receive  the  respect  of  their 
children,  and  they  have  no  right  to  it,  either. 

The  child  may  obey  this  sort  of  parents,  but  he  will 
never  honor  them. 

Parents  have  as  much  duty  to  their  children  as  their 
children  have  to  them, — yes,  more  duty,  because  age 
increases  responsibility. 

Bad  boys  spring  from  good  homes,  and  good  boys 
come  from  bad  homes ;  but  the  majority  of  bad  boys 
were  raised  in  bad  homes,  and  the  majority  of  good 
boys  were  bred  in  good  homes. 

6i 


62  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

The  child  is  under  the  influence  of  his  home.  If  the 
influence  is  good,  he  is  more  likely  to  be  good ;  and  if 
the  influence  is  bad,  he  is  very  apt  to  be  bad. 

Parents  are  much  more  responsible  to  the  child  than 
the  child  is  responsible  to  them.  The  law  of  the 
present  and  that  of  the  hereafter  has  so  ruled  it,  and 
will  hold  them  accountable. 

Wise  parents  seldom  arbitrarily  exercise  the  right  of 
might.  They  do  not  want  to,  and  they  do  not  have  to. 
They  rule  by  suggestion,  advice,  interest,  and  love. 
Their  children  are  their  companions,  —  co-workers  with 
them,  and  the  interest  is  mutual.  Each  child  is  a  junior 
partner  in  the  house-of-home,  and  his  rights  are  re- 
spected. Discipline  is  practised,  and  it  must  be ;  but  it 
is  accompanied  by  fairness  and  good-will. 

In  the  management  of  boys,  the  hand  of  sensible  love 
and  practical  co-operation  is  worth  a  thousand  rods. 

The  wiser  the  parents,  the  broader  and  greater  in 
every  virtue,  the  more  anxious  are  they  to  add  to  their 
attainments  the  knowledge  of  others.  They  do  not 
allow  their  own  judgment,  unassisted  by  that  of  others, 
the  right  of  arbitrary  execution.  To  what  they  know 
they  add  what  others  know,  advising  and  training  their 
boy,  not  along  the  lines  of  personal  conceit,  but  along 
the  great,  broad  avenues  of  composite  intelligence  and 
collective  experience. 

Parents  who  suit  themselves  in  training  their  boys, 
disregarding  the  experience  and  knowledge  of  others, 
who  rule  by  might  and  not  by  right,  are  fools,  brutes, 
and  criminals,  and  civilization  will  sometime  deny  this 
kind  of  being  the  right  of  propagating  the  species. 

No  one  mind,  no  one  isolated  judgment,  whether  it  be 
parental  or  not,  has,  in  itself  alone,  the  right  to  com- 
mand or  even  to  advise. 

The  composite  parent  is  safe  to  follow.  Parents  who 
appreciate  their  responsibility  govern  neither  by  con- 
ceit nor  self-willedness.  They  rule  by  the  exercise  of 
the   broadest   knowledge    and    experience    obtainable. 


Parents  63 

What  they  think  is  right,  is  never  right  to  them,  unless 
it  is  supported  by  intelligent  backing.  What  they  think 
is  wrong,  is  not  wrong  to  them,  unless  it  is  considered 
wrong  by  intelligent  others.  Their  boy  is  not  their 
slave.  He  is  their  associate.  They  go  out  into  the 
broad  world  of  experience,  and  from  that  world  they 
gather  all  the  knowledge  they  can  receive  and  hold. 
This  knowledge  they  bring  home,  that  they  may  in- 
telligently adapt  it  to  the  wants  of  their  boy.  They  are 
parents  in  the  best  sense,  —  parents  of  knowledge,  of 
judgment,  of  discrimination,  and  of  experience,  the 
kind  of  parents  to  raise  boys  worth  having,  the  kind 
of  parents  who  help  the  rising  generation  to  push 
progress. 

It  would  be  a  grand,  good  thing  for  the  boys,  if  their 
parents  would  take  a  course  at  home  in  the  same  subjects 
their  boys  are  studying,  becoming  fellow-students  with 
their  boys,  that  they  may  help  their  boys  with  the 
encouragement  of  familiarity. 

The  school,  no  matter  how  good  it  is,  is  only  a  part 
of  the  boy's  education.  The  home,  no  matter  how 
perfect  it  may  be,  is  but  another  part.  Parents,  be 
they  the  best  or  the  worst,  are  but  one  of  the  agencies 
in  the  building  of  boyhood  into  manhood ;  but  their 
influence  is  of  vital  consequence.  This  responsibility 
they  must  realize  so  well  and  so  thoroughly  that  they 
can  afford  to  forget  —  except  when  necessity  demands 
—  the  legal  rights  of  parentage,  and  guide  their  boys 
by  the  profitable  and  discriminating  method  of  intel- 
ligent love  and  intimate  interest. 

Is  the  boy  going  wrong  ? 

Parents,  find  the  fault,  the  whole  fault,  and  the 
source  of  it.  Look  for  it  unceasingly.  Do  not  look 
all  in  one  place.  Hunt  everywhere  ;  in  the  boy's  room, 
and  beyond.  Search  your  own  closets,  dig  deeply  into 
your  own  selves ;  you,  as  well  as  the  boy,  may  deserve 
the  whip  of  correction. 

There  ought  to  be  as  many  schools  teaching  parents 


64  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

how  to  be  parents  as  there  are  institutions  of  music,  or 
of  other  common  attainment. 

How  many  parents  learn  by  experience,  at  their 
children's  expense !  Many  a  first  child  has  been  in- 
jured, for  the  benefit  of  those  who  come  after  him. 
Civilization  should  remedy  this,  and  parents  should 
have  the  opportunity  of  learning  the  duties  of  parentage 
before  they  assume  parental  responsibility. 

Clubs  for  mothers  should  be  supplemented  by  clubs 
for  fathers. 

Before  the  child  arrives,  as  well  as  afterwards,  the 
parents  should  be  proficient  in  the  art  of  child-training. 

No  one  ought  to  be  married,  or  to  contemplate  mar- 
riage, who  is  unproficient  in  the  raising  and  management 
of  children,  or  cannot  learn,  or  will  not  learn,  how  to 
properly  bring  up  a  child. 

Until  the  last  child  has  reached  his  majority  the 
parents  should  continue  to  study  child-management. 

New  educational  avenues  are  constantly  opening. 
Schools  or  institutions  of  many  kinds  are  being  estab- 
lished with  almost  mushroom  rapidity.  There  is  a 
school  or  academy  for  every  essential,  and  for  every 
branch  of  them,  save  the  proper  means  of  teaching 
parents  how  to  be  parents. 

One  can  easily  learn  almost  anything  else,  whether  it 
be  necessary  or  otherwise,  and  it  is  high  time,  and  past 
high  time,  that  a  thorough  training  for  parenthood 
should  become  universal. 

How  to  make  the  home,  and  keep  the  home,  are  of 
vastly  more  consequence  than  how  to  paint,  to  sing,  or 
to  read  and  write  the  classics. 

In  exercising  our  **  populars,"  our  **  fads,"  our  polite 
dissipations,  and  our  luxuriant  past-times,  our  leaders 
have  inexcusably  forgotten  the  '*  vitals  of  humandom." 

Systematic  and  experienced  teaching  of  parentage  is 
essential  to  civilization. 

Nature's  best  boy  will  not  be  born  until  there  are 
parents  fit  for  his  arrival. 


Parents  6$ 

The  boy's  first  school  is  in  his  home,  and  there  is  as 
much  necessity  for  a  school  of  home-making  as  there 
is  for  a  school  for  the  making  of  teachers  or  for  any 
other  kind  of  education. 

If  <*  the  strength  of  the  nation  is  in  the  homes  of  its 
people,"  civilization  should  teach  the  people  how  to  take 
care  of  their  homes  ;  and  the  government  should-  care- 
fully guard  its  well-spring  of  strength. 

Incompetent,  foolish,  lazy,  indifferent  parents  are  the 
boy's  accessories  in  failure. 

Many  parents  need  training  as  much  as  does  the  boy 
they  presume  to  regulate. 

They  who  have  not  been  developed,  be  they  parents 
or  not,  have  no  right  to  play  the  role  of  developer. 

Parents,  for  the  good  of  your  boys,  look  to  your- 
selves first,  to  your  children  afterward.  Be  what  you 
ought  to  be,  before  trying  to  make  anybody  else  what 
he  should  be. 

Learn  to  direct,  before  you  take  the  responsibility  of 
directorship. 


At  Home  or  Away 

**  The  safety  of  familiarity  " 

CAUTION  says,  ''  Stay  where  you  are.''  Specu- 
lation orders  a  change.  Progression  attempts 
to  reduce  chance  to  the  minimum  and  to  handle 
caution  with  judgment. 

Many  a  boy  would  have  been  a  greater  success  had 
he  started  his  business  career  in  an  environment  where 
conditions  were  different  from  those  surrounding  his 
boyhood ;  and  many  a  boy  would  have  been  far  more 
successful  had  he  remained  in  the  place  of  his  birth  or 
of  his  childhood,  instead  of  attempting  to  meet  un- 
familiar and  heavy  competition  away  from  home. 

Shall  the  boy  remain  at  home,  or  strike  out  away 
from  home?  There  is  no  infallible  gauge  of  answer. 
Does  the  boy  want  to  begin  his  business  life  away  from 
home?  If  he  does,  and  gives  substantial  reason  for  his 
choice,  he  may  stand  a  better  chance  of  success  away 
from  home  than  at  home ;  but  ninety  per  cent,  of  the 
boys  who  desire  to  leave  home  have  no  definite  purpose 
in  view.  They  are  infatuated  with  the  highly  colored 
pictures  of  city  life,  and  imagine  that  where  there 
is  so  much  business  there  must  be  more  chance  for 
business.  They  judge  superficially,  without  knowl- 
edge in  the  premises.  They  do  not  realize  that 
where  there  is  much  business  there  is  often  more 
competition  and  frequently  many  more  applicants  than 
there  are  positions. 

The  boy  of  marked  ability  needs  a  field  of  size  for 
his  development,  and,  if  his  home-town  is  small  and 
unprogressive,  he  must  of  necessity  leave  home  to  enter 
the  broad  arena  of  ceaseless  turmoil. 

If  the  bright  boy  lives  in  a  good-sized  country  center, 
where   there  is  considerable   business,    he   had   better 

66 


At  Home  or  Away  67 

hesitate  long  before  deciding  to  leave  home  for  the 
metropolis. 

A  progressive  country  town  offers  better  opportunity 
to  rise,  proportionately,  than  does  the  large  city,  and 
there  is  proportionately  less  work  to  be  had  in  a  great 
city  than  in  a  country  center.  Every  large  city  is  over- 
crowded with  work-seekers  and  applicants  for  every 
conceivable  position.  Unless  one  be  close  to  poverty, 
it  costs  from  twice  to  a  dozen  times  more  to  maintain  a 
position  in  a  great  city  than  in  the  country. 

In  the  metropolis  money  is  reckoned  more  than  the 
man ;  in  the  smaller  places  man  is  considered  as  well 
as  his  money.  The  greatest  lawyer  in  a  great  city  may 
be  greater  than  the  greatest  country  lawyer,  but  the 
leading  lawyer  of  a  country  center  is  more  famous, 
even  in  the  metropolis,  than  is  his  metropolitan  equal  in 
ability.  Only  extraordinary  capacity  or  vast  wealth 
counts  in  the  great  city.  The  leading  man  in  a  country 
center  is  often  better  known  in  the  nearest  great  city 
than  ninety-nine  per  cent,  of  the  city^s  inhabitants. 

City  life  crushes,  and  only  a  few  can  stand  the 
pressure  and  live  to  reach  the  top.  Country  promi- 
nence is  easier  to  obtain  and  to  maintain. 

If  there  be  fair  opportunity  at  home,  the  country  boy 
had  better  remain  in  his  home^-town  and  work  the 
material  at  hand  to  the  full  of  his  and  its  capacity. 
Altogether  too  many  boys  leave  good  prospects  at  home 
to  take  the  chance  of  securing  better  openings  away 
from  home.  There  is  much  more  certainty  and  per- 
manency in  a  country  town  position  than  there  is  in  a 
great  city  office. 

What  is  there  at  home  for  the  boy?  Search  the 
home-town  first,  and  do  not  forsake  it  unless  it  refuses 
to  give  fair  opportunity.  If  the  home-town  has  nothing 
fit  for  the  boy  to  do,  the  boy  must  leave  it ;  but  if  the 
home-town  is  progressive,  and  there  is  room  for  prog- 
ress, he  had  better  not  consider  going  from  it  until  he 
has  weighed  every  home  opportunity  and  compared  its 


68  The  Boy  — ■  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

weight,  item  by  item,  with  the  apparent  worth  of  great 
city  offers.  The  metropolis  has  more  to  give  in  the 
aggregate,  but  there  are  more  to  receive  it. 

One  should  not  be  afraid  of  competition,  but  he 
should  not  court  it.  Opposition  often  steels  one  to 
better  things,  but  there  is  no  virtue  in  *'  kicking  against 
the  pricks  "  when  one  can  get  along  without  doing  so. 
Life  is  hard  enough,  and  success-winning  difficult 
enough,  under  the  most  favorable  auspices,  for  any  one 
to  reach  for  opposition  and  competition. 

The  country  boy  had  better  remain  in  the  country,  if 
he  can  find  something  worth  doing.  The  city  is  the 
place  for  him  only  if  he  possesses  marked  available 
ability,  or  is  of  necessity  obliged  to  go  to  it.  The  suc- 
cessful inhabitant  of  the  country  center,  or  of  the  coun- 
try town  of  respectable  size,  is  far  better  off  than 
ninety-nine  and  nine-tenths  per  cent,  of  great  city  suc- 
cesses. He  is  nearer  Nature,  has  more  friends,  is 
better  recognized,  and  is  in  every  way  more  substan- 
tially successful  than  his  great  city  brother. 

The  metropolis  offers  very  little  which  the  country 
center  does  not  have,  and  the  country  center,  propor- 
tionately considered,  has  much  more  to  offer  the  boy 
than  any  crowded,  rushing  metropolis  can  have. 

Shall  the  great  city  boy,  who  knows  little  of  country 
life,  save  he  has  seen  it  on  vacations,  leave  the  city  and 
begin  his  career  in  some  country  center?  Yes;  if  he 
wants  to,  with  reason.  The  chances  are  that  his  city- 
made  experience,  as  soon  as  it  becomes  naturalized 
to  country  conditions,  will  lead  him  to  success  more 
quickly  than  if  he  remained  in  the  city,  and  his  country- 
life  success  is  likely  to  be  more  permanent  and  satisfy- 
ing, though  in  volume,  perhaps,  not  so  large.  If  the 
city  boy  wants  to  go  into  the  country,  and  his  desire  is 
not  a  whim,  but  a  settled  preference  based  upon  reason, 
he  had  better  go  into  the  country.  But  if  the  city-bred 
boy  wants  to  remain  in  the  city,  and  would  be  uncom- 
fortable out  of  its  crowded  streets,  he  would  certainly 


At  Home  or  Away  69 

have  a  hard  time  of  it  in  the  country.  The  city  is 
probably  his  natural  field  of  labor,  and  he  had  better 
remain  there. 

The  boy  of  strong  character,  and  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary ability,  will  succeed  in  the  great  city,  in  the  coun- 
try, anywhere.  Probably  he  can  more  easily  reach  the 
pinnacle  of  his  capacity  in  a  progressive  country  town. 

The  boy's  inclination  and  presumable  ability  should 
do  much  toward  settling  the  question  of  where  he 
shall  begin  his  livelihood-making. 

The  city-bred  boy  may  take  some  chances  in  casting 
his  lot  in  the  country,  but  the  country-bred  boy  takes 
greater  chances  in  leaving  his  known  home-town  for 
the  unknown  metropolis. 

The  country  boy  almost  invariably  underestimates  the 
opportunities  of  his  home-town,  and  overestimates  the 
benefits  of  the  city.  The  city-bred  boy  seldom  recog- 
nizes the  advantages  presented  by  the  country  center. 

Perhaps  the  best  advice  to  give  is : 

Stay  where  you  are,  if  you  have  fair  opportunity; 
move  from  where  you  are,  if  there  is  little  opportunity ; 
give  where  you  are  the  preference ;  about  you  there  is 
often  more  than  you  realize. 

The  jump  from  the  great  city  to  the  country,  or  from 
the  country  to  the  great  city,  is  a  leap  of  tremendous 
consequence.  The  people  of  one  know  little  of  the 
other. 

One  cannot  help  being  familiar  with  the  things  about 
him,  with  conditions  he  has  lived  in,  and  he  had  better 
use  that  knowledge,  if  there  be  a  fair  opportunity  of 
profitably  harvesting  it. 

The  genius  will  succeed  in  any  field.  If  his  field 
does  not  suit  him,  he  will  make   a  field  of  his  own. 

The  ordinary  boy  is  far  more  dependent  upon 
environment. 

Radical  changes  are  risky. 

If  one  is  not  reasonably  sure,  he  better  not  move,  but 
stay  where  he  is  until  he  is  certain  that  there  is  a  better 


yo  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

place,  and  a  better  one  for  HIM.  Because  somewhere 
else  is  a  better  place  for  somebody  else  is  no  reason 
why  it  is  a  better  place  for  him. 

The  boy  must  fit  the  place ;  the  place  cannot  be 
fitted  to  the  boy. 

Because  one  boy  succeeds  away  from  home  is  not 
necessarily  a  reason  why  another  boy  will  do  as  well. 

Let  the  boy  make  the  most  of  what  he  has,  of  where 
he  is,  and  if  that  falls  short,  or  is  likely  to  fall  short,  of 
his  capacity,  then  he  has  a  right  to  consider  a  change 
of  location. 

When  in  doubt,  he  had  better  stay  where  he  is. 

If  he  had  better  go  away,  there  will  not  likely  appear 
to  be  much  of  any  doubt  about  it.  Things  will  so 
clearly  point  to  the  advisability  of  a  change,  that  he  and 
his  parents  and  sensible  friends  will  feel  reasonably  sure 
of  the  better  course  to  take. 

*«  My  town  first;  the  world  afterwards,"  is  a  motto 
of  permanency. 

Seek  fortune  at  home,  if  there  be  prospect  of  finding 
it ;  don't  enter  strange  fields  until  the  home-land  has 
been  well  tilled,  planted,  and  harvested. 

Give  the  home- town  the  preference,  and  give  it  a 
chance. 


Money 

<*  Is  it  yours,  or  are  you  its  ?  " 

SOMEBODY,  long,  long  ago,  paraphrased  a  Scrip- 
tural text,  that  it  might  read,   **  With  all  thy  get- 
tings,  get  money ;  "  and  this  dangerous  advice  has 
been  handed  down  through  the  ages  as  a  motto 
of   questionable  success   and    as    an   epitaph  of   stifled 
conscience. 

The  deep-thinking  and  optimistic  minds  of  the  pres- 
ent, from  out  their  glowing  eyes,  look  up  the  pathway 
of  life's  evolution  into  a  moneyless  civilization,  where 
there  will  be  a  better  medium  of  exchange  than  lifeless 
gold  and  perishable  paper. 

There  seems  to  be  good  evidence  that  every  crime 
mentioned  in  the  Bible,  with  the  exception  of  the  fall 
of  Adam  and  a  few  others,  was  due,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, to  an  undue  love  of  money ;  and  the  records  of 
our  courts  certainly  furnish  unimpeachable  proof  that 
money  is  the  prime  mover  or  the  accessory  cause  of 
substantially  all  modern  crime. 

For  money,  man  mutilates  his  body  and  sells  his  soul. 
For  the  sake  of  money,  the  father  robs  his  son  and  the 
son  murders  his  father.  For  the  sake  of  money,  people 
are  ground  into  the  unfertile  earth ;  and,  armed  with 
the  power  of  money,  privileged  men  become  owners 
of  government,  controllers  of  business,  and  keepers 
of  human  lives. 

Every  man  with  brains  enough  to  solve  a  common 
problem  believes,  —  yes,  knows  and  feels,  —  that  on  the 
great  evolutionary  track  of  life  right  must  win,  and  that 
the  justice  of  the  to-be-civilized  man,  with  the  justice 
of  the  always-completely-civilized  God,  will  eventually 
establish  a  law  of  righteousness,  of  fairness,  of  equity, 
and  of  love;    and  that  this   condition  can   never  be 

7^ 


72  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

reached  nor  maintained  without  the  full  development  of 
the  good  and  the  complete  annihilation  of  the  bad. 
Then  before  the  jointly-sitting  Bar  of  the  Justice  of  God 
and  the  Justice  of  Man  will  the  evil  of  money  be  sen- 
tenced to  receive  its  punishment.  But  to-day,  and 
probably  for  many  years  to  come,  modern  money,  with 
its  goodness  and  its  badness,  will  remain  a  necessary 
element,  and  therefore  must  be  considered  as  a  part  of 
present  living  and  business.  Until  civilization  advances 
many  steps,  business,  as  it  is  now  conducted,  will  have 
to  be  tolerated  and  maintained,  and  our  present  form  of 
money  will  remain  the  medium  of  exchange. 

A  proportion  of  the  people  have  always  measured 
success,  and  for  a  long  time  will  continue  to  measure 
it,  by  the  number  of  dollars  held  by  the  individual. 
No  one  will  deny  that  for  the  present,  money,  in  large 
or  small  quantities,  is  a  part  of  and  accompanies  modern 
success. 

It  is  a  fact  that  comparatively  few  successful  men  are 
penniless.  Few  great  men  are  over-rich,  for  the  truly 
great  man  is  not  likely  to  give  the  major  part  of  his 
time  to  the  accumulation  of  money,  and  if  riches  have 
been  forced  upon  him,  he  almost  always  keeps  himself 
from  being  too  wealthy  by  properly  distributing  his 
money. 

With  the  faculty  of  accomplishing  anything,  from 
inventing  to  preaching,  from  clerking  to  manufacturing, 
there  is  generally  sufficient  earning  capacity  to  bring  in 
enough  money  for  a  comfortable  living.  Nearly  every 
man  of  fair-sized  attainment  receives  sufficient  income 
to  maintain  him.  Comparatively  few  men  of  ability 
are  unable  to  earn  their  living. 

While  the  god  of  money  rewards  shrewdness, 
whether  it  be  honest  or  questionable,  much  more  munifi- 
cently than  he  does  intrinsic  worth,  he  seldom  refuses 
to  deliver  the  bread  of  necessity,  if  not  the  butter  of 
comfort,  to  the  possessor  of  high  attainment. 

The  rich  man  who   possesses  nothing   but   money, 


•    Money  73 

whether  or  not  he  has  obtained  it  by  questionable 
methods,  is  not  considered  a  success  by  any  one  of 
consequence.  With  all  his  over-wealth  he  has  no  real 
friends,  and  few  friends  of  any  kind.  He  may  be  aped 
and  flattered,  but  he  is  never  loved  or  respected.  His 
alleged  friends  are  merely  hangers-on,  flatterers,  bor- 
rowers, tricksters,  and  beats,  or  financial  co-operators 
who  would  as  willingly  rob  him  as  they  would  help  him 
to  rob  others.  When  this  man  of  money  dies  the  papers 
give  him  stingy  mention,  and  the  world  forgets  him 
even  before  the  grass  sprouts  over  his  tearless  grave. 
His  henchmen  are  sorry  he  is  dead  because  they  can 
use  him  no  longer.  His  financial  associates  are  re- 
lieved because  his  departure  has  given  them  more  room 
for  operation.  The  grief  of  his  relatives  is  but  clothes- 
deep.  This  man  represents  one  grade  of  success,  — 
the  lower  grade,  the  grade  that  receives  no  respect  on 
earth  and  has  no  standing  in  the  world  to  come. 

The  successful  man  of  the  higher  grade  is  he  who 
accomplishes  something,  whether  it  be  in  money- 
earning  or  in  anything  else,  for  the  mutual  benefit  of 
himself  and  others.  This  man  is  rich,  whether  he  be 
worth  dollars  or  millions  of  dollars.  This  man  is  rich, 
whether  he  be  a  shoemaker  or  a  railroad  president. 
This  man  is  rich,  whether  he  be  a  clerk  or  a  preacher. 
This  man  is  rich  because  he  is  working  up  to  the  limit 
of  his  highest  capacity  and  is  doing  his  best. 

The  man  of  only  money  is  the  slave  of  money.  He 
has  no  individuality  save  as  the  taker,keeper,  and  spender 
of  cash.  He  is  but  a  financial  raker,  a  human  storehouse 
of  perishable  product,  a  success  of  the  lowest  grade. 
He  has  made  of  himself  the  kind  of  success  which  he 
would  be  ashamed  of  if  he  had  one-half  the  brains 
necessary  for  semi-enlightenment. 

The  accumulation  of  money,  unless  this  accumulation 
be  for  a  proper  purpose  and  to  be  rightly  distributed,  is 
as  foolish  and  wrong  as  the  accumulation  of  land  to  be 
held  in  wasteful  idleness. 


74  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

The  good  of  anything  is  in  its  distribution  and  in  the 
profitable  use  of  it.  A  locked-up  Bible  is  as  worthless 
as  unmined  iron. 

The  man  who  gains  money,  and  holds  it,  or  dis- 
tributes it  within  his  own  circle,  that  it  may  all  come 
back  to  him,  is  of  the  criminal  grade  of  success,  a 
menace  to  society  and  a  felon  before  any  bar  of  decency 
or  any  bench  of  justice.  This  man  has  for  his  pains 
only  the  gratification  of  his  own  isolated  selfishness. 
He  is  neither  beloved  nor  respected ;  he  is  disliked  and 
hated  ;  he  has  no  friends  on  earth  ;  he  must  strain  the 
mercy  of  the  hereafter  to  get  it.     He  is  not  a  success. 

The  successful  man,  with  money  or  without  it,  is  the 
man  who  has  accomplished  the  most  good  for  others, 
himself  included  ;  who  has  done  the  most  to  make  others 
and  himself  better ;  who  has  looked  upon  money  as  a 
necessary  means  to  an  end ;  who  has  acquired  as  much 
of  it  as  seems  essential  to  mutual  advancement.  This 
man  is  a  success,  whether  he  have  much  or  little  money, 
whether  he  be  a  lawyer  or  a  blacksmith,  a  banker  or  a 
carpenter,  master  of  a  thousand  men  or  one  of  a  thou- 
sand workers.  This  man  has  friends  who  love  him, 
not  for  his  money ;  who  respect  him,  not  for  his  bank 
account ;  —  friends  who  firmly  grasp  his  hand  in  life 
and  who  shed  over  his  grave  the  tears  of  genuine  sor- 
row. Within  the  fences  of  his  field  he  has  done  his  best. 
The  world  will  never  forget  him,  and  when  he  leaves 
it,  the  place  he  once  occupied  may  never  be  filled  as  he 
filled  it.  He  is  one  of  the  threads  in  the  billion-wired 
cable  of  success,  which  does  its  full  share  in  standing 
the  strain  of  life ;  and  as  it  has  helped  others,  so  is  it 
assisted.  This  man  is  not,  and  could  not  be,  a  failure. 
He  is,  and  has  to  be,  a  success.  The  collateral  which 
he  has  deposited  in  the  Bank  of  Earth  is  payable 
without  discount  in  the  Treasury  of  Heaven.  The 
seed  of  his  earthly  sowing  forever  harvests  in  the 
perpetual  fertility  of  eternity. 


Little  Things 

<«  All  things  are  great  *' 

BECAUSE  some  of  our  greatest  men  appear  to 
ignore  little  things,  and  seem  to  feel  that  little 
things  are  of  little  consequence,  many  unthink- 
ing people,  and  even  those  of  a  fair  amount  of 
thought-activity,  have  refused  to  acknowledge,  or  do 
not  always  comprehend,  the  importance  of  little  things. 

It  is  true  that  the  majority  of  our  great  inventors, 
scientists,  discoverers,  men  of  learning,  and  geniuses 
of  every  class  seem  to  lack  as  much  in  one  direction  as 
they  possess  in  another.  The  rank  and  file  of  great 
men  are  stronger  in  one  thing  than  they  are  in  others, 
and  most  learned  men  are  as  ignorant  in  one  way  as 
they  are  proficient  in  another. 

Stories,  humorous  and  sometimes  pathetic,  are  told  of 
the  eccentricities  and  mistakes  of  geniuses.  The  dis- 
coverer of  a  new  planet,  who  is  mathematically  correct 
in  his  field  of  learning,  ma}^  leave  his  house  in  a  snow- 
storm, hatless  and  coatless ;  and  the  linguist  of  a  dozen 
tongues  may  find  it  difficult  to  verify  the  figures  of  his 
grocer's  bill. 

Great  men  are  often  great  fools.  The  foolishness  of 
the  great  man  does  not  make  him  great,  but  his  very 
greatness  may  help  to  make  him  a  fool  in  some  things. 

The  measure  of  commerce  and  the  measure  of  brains 
are  limited.  Man  can  hold  just  so  much.  Crowd 
more  than  his  capacity  into  him,  and  he  either  spills  or 
bursts.  If  he  knows  much  about  one  thing,  he  must 
know  less  about  another.  Still,  the  great  man,  who 
may  be  hunting  for  his  spectacles  when  they  are  on  his 
head,  who  may  forget  to  buckle  half  the  harness,  who 
may  shovel  coal  'with  the  snow-shovel  and  snow  with 
the  coal-shovel,  does  not  ignore  the  little  things  within 

75 


76  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

the  scope  of  his  work.  Where  his  heart  is,  and  where 
the  whole  interest  of  his  brain  is  centered,  nothing  is 
small,  and  everything,  be  it  little  or  big,  is  of  impor- 
tance. If  he  be  a  mathematician,  he  gives  the  same 
care  to  the  fractions  on  the  right  of  the  decimal  point 
as  to  units  on  the  left  of  it.  If  he  mixes  the  most 
precious  chemical  with  the  cheapest,  he  weighs  the 
cheap  substance  as  carefully  as  he  does  the  valuable 
one.  He  may  forget  to  put  on  his  coat  in  winter,  or 
to  take  it  off  in  summer,  but  he  always  remembers  to 
put  the  right-sized  cork  into  the  right-sized  bottle  hold- 
ing the  mixture  of  his  experiment.  He  may  carry  his 
cane  when  it  rains  and  his  umbrella  when  it  is  pleasant, 
but  his  telescope  never  gets  wet.  He  may  get  soaked 
and  not  know  it,  but  with  his  body  he  would  keep  the 
dampness  from  his  instrument. 

The  master  of  great  things  is  the  master  of  little 
things.  To  him  there  is  nothing  great  or  small,  for  all 
things  are  great.  He  is  a  success  in  one  direction,  and 
of  that  he  knows  as  much  as  his  brain  can  hold ;  in  all 
else  he  may  be  any  degree  of  fool.  Put  what  he  knows 
on  one  side  of  the  scale  and  what  he  does  not  know  on 
the  other.  If  the  proficiency  side  goes  down,  he  is  a 
success ;  if  the  lacking  side  is  heavier,  he  approaches 
a  failure. 

By  attention  to  little  things,  by  the  closest  analysis  of 
the  smallest  items,  by  the  most  careful  scrutiny  of 
every  detail,  has  been  built  every  success  in  the 
unabridged  catalogue  of  accomplishment. 

The  man  or  boy  who  is  careless  in  little  things  is 
successful  at  nothing. 

Success  never  ignores  little  things.  Success  demands 
constant  attention  and  mastery  of  little  things.  Success 
will  allow  one  to  be  inconstant  with  the  things  not  of 
his  field,  if  he  never  forgets  the  little  things  within 
the  province  of  his  labor. 

Inattention  to  little  things  has  eaten  the  life  out  of 
our  greatest  structures. 


Vacillation 

**  Beware  of  strange  pastures  *' 

STAY  where  you  are,  unless  there  be  good  reason 
for  moving,  is  one  of  the  laws  of  business  and  of 
success.  The  vacillating  man  or  boy  never  per- 
manently succeeds,  and  meets  with  only  transient 
profit.  He  lives  from  hand  to  mouth,  without  location 
or  reputation,  —  a  sort  of  irresponsible  will-o'-the-wisp, 
full  to-day  and  empty  to-morrow. 

Only  the  fool  stays  where  he  is,  if  his  present  loca- 
tion be  unprofitable  or  dangerous.  Persistence  in  evil, 
or  stubbornness  to  remain  where  one  is,  are  unproduc- 
tive of  success.  Judgment  always  has  the  right  of  way. 
Most  failures,  however,  are  more  traceable  to  unjustifi- 
able vacillation  than  to  wilful  stubbornness. 

The  failure  of  geniuses  is  almost  invariably  due  to 
lack  of  finish.  The  genius  starts  right,  and  for  a  while 
properly  persists  in  his  work,  but  he  often  does  not 
finish,  and  the  result  of  his  work,  for  lack  of  finish, 
may  be  worthless. 

Permanency  is  a  great  law  of  Nature,  of  business, 
of  accomplishment.  It  applies  to  every  station  and  to 
every  stratum  of  human  life. 

Generally  speaking  —  except,  of  course,  with  reason- 
able exceptions  —  it  is  better  for  the  boy  to  finish  every 
school  he  enters,  to  get  all  that  the  school  can  give  him, 
before  entering  a  higher  or  a  different  institution.  Edu- 
cational changes  may  be  as  disastrous  and  as  expensive 
as  home  or  business  moving.  Occasionally  a  bright 
boy  jumps  a  grade  and  graduates  or  enters  another 
school  ahead  of  his  classmates,  but  this  is  not  unfinish- 
ing  any  school.  If  he  can  do  in  less  years  what  others 
take  more  years  to  do,  well  and  good, — provided  he 
does  not  injure  his  health  by  too  rapid  progress. 

77 


78  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Trying  one  school  and  then  another,  taking  up  one 
form  of  study  and  discarding  it  for  another,  means  loss 
of  time,  loss  of  energy,  and  loss  of  future  prospects. 
If  the  boy  overcomes  this  vacillation  he  does  so  at  an 
expense  which  would  much  better  have  been  saved. 

The  same  principle  applies  to  business.  The  boy 
who  constantly  changes  his  position  will  probably  never 
become  a  permanent  success. 

When  a  boy  starts  wrong,  and  is  sure  of  it,  a  change 
must  be  made ;  but  a  change  is  not  justifiable  unless 
there  is  good  evidence  that  the  present  position  is  not 
adapted  to  the  boy's  capacity.  If  the  boy's  desire  to 
change  is  a  whim,  or  temporary  irritation,  or  mere 
dislike  founded  upon  transient  dissatisfaction,  it  is  un- 
worthy of  consideration. 

Some,  and  perhaps  fully  one-half,  of  the  boys  start- 
ing at  work,  quickly  become  dissatisfied  and  imagine 
that  they  are  unfitted,  either  for  the  vocation  they  have 
chosen  or  for  the  place  they  occupy.  Being  unfamiliar 
with  business,  they  place  the  blame  upon  the  kind  of 
business  and  upon  their  positions,  and  do  not  realize 
that  business  is  always  hard  and  that  any  other  position 
in  any  other  business  might  be  as  unsatisfactory. 

On  general  principles,  the  boy  stands  a  better  chance 
of  success  by  remaining  in  the  place  where  he  starts. 
Each  year  he  should  be  more  valuable  to  himself  and 
to  his  employer,  and  he  should  long  hesitate  before 
taking  the  risk  of  a  change.  When  he  becomes  a  man, 
and  is  full  of  experience,  he  may  consider  selling  that 
ability  and  experience  to  the  highest  bidder,  all  things 
being  equal ;  but  even  then  it  is  well  to  give  the  pref- 
erence to  the  place  one  is  in,  for  there  may  be  greater 
opportunity  there  than  elsewhere.  The  boy,  however, 
should  never  change  unless  he  and  his  parents,  if 
they  are  competent,  and  his  friends  of  judgment,  feel 
reasonably  certain  that  a  piove  is  both  necessary  and 
advisable. 


Odd  Times 

"  Each  moment  has  a  profitable  place  " 

THE  man  of  success,  and  the  boy  of  prospective 
success,  to  a  large  extent,  or  to  some  extent  at 
least,  appreciate  the  vital  value  of  odd  times. 
Many  have  risen  from  the  ranks  to  command 
responsibility  by  the  proper  use  of  odd  hours,  odd  half- 
hours,  and  odd  moments. 

No  matter  how  busy  one  may  be  in  business  or  in 
school,  there  are  moments  for  which  nothing  seems  to 
have  been  allotted.  These  moments  must  either  be 
wasted  or  used. 

No  one  should  work  or  study  all  the  time,  or  play  all 
the  time. 

Success  in  school,  as  well  as  success  in  business, 
depends  upon  the  proper  balance  of  work,  play,  and 
rest. 

There  is  no  excuse  for  any  kind  of  waste,  either  of 
time  or  material. 

The  boy  of  success  is  always  busy  —  busy  studying, 
busy  working,  busy  playing,  busy  resting.  All  his  odd 
moments  are  filled.  He  makes  every  moment  count. 
Every  moment  stands  for  something.  Every  moment 
is  either  accomplishing  something  or  is  making  him 
better  able  to  do  something. 

Resting  is  not  loafing.  Play  is  just  as  necessary  as 
work. 

There  is  time  enough  in  every  day  to  accomplish  the 
proper  work  of  that  day.  The  day  is  seldom  too  short 
to  the  man  of  success  or  to  the  boy  of  promise,  for  both 
of  them  use  every  minute  in  the  twenty-four  hours. 
When  they  work,  they  work ;  when  they  play,  they 
play ;  when  they  rest,  they  rest.  Every  odd  minute 
has  its  place  in  the  economy  of  their  accomplishment. 

79 


8o  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  bucceea 

Successful  folks  never  loaf;  they  never  waste  a 
moment.  Whatever  they  do,  whether  it  be  work  or 
play,  they  do  deliberately  and  with  all  their  might. 
When  they  rest,  they  rest  intelligently.  They  use 
every  odd  moment  for  something,  and  often  their  odd 
moments  are  as  profitable  as  their  regular  working 
hours. 

The  odd  moment  is  the  moment  of  relaxation,  ruled 
by  the  free  rein  of  inclination  and  not  by  the  whip  of 
necessity.  It  entirely  belongs  to  one's  self.  It  is  prop- 
erty unencumbered  by  specific  responsibility,  for  one  to 
use  as  he  will.  Consequently,  he  is  freer  in  it,  and 
can  work  or  play  better  in  it,  and  in  it  often  accom- 
plishes more  than  when  under  the  strain  of  working 
time. 

The  salary-receiver,  the  wage-earner,  and  the  boy  at 
school  are  under  command,  and  are  not  their  own 
masters  during  the  regular  hours  of  work ;  but  all  are 
fortunately  in  charge  of  their  odd  moments,  and  what 
they  do  in  them  counts  mightily  in  result.  If  they 
waste  them,  they  lose  much  more  than  they  appreciate ; 
if  they  use  them  conscientiously,  intelligently,  and  con- 
stantly, never  wasting  them,  they  are  sure  to  accom- 
plish what  without  their  proper  use  is  impossible. 

The  odd  moment  is  the  moment  of  profit  to  folks  of 
success. 


Honesty 

**  No  profitable  policy  antagonizes  honesty  " 

HONESTY  is  the  first  law  of  success.  Honesty 
is  the  first  requisite  for  any  kind  of  perma- 
nency. Honesty  is  necessary  to  the  upbuilding 
and  maintenance  of  every  kind  of  honorable 
business. 

Dishonesty  pays,  if  the  doer  does  not  get  caught;  but 
he  almost  always  gets  caught.  There  are  compara- 
tively few  men  who  are  shrewd  enough  or  great  enough 
to  continuously  practice  dishonesty  with  success,  and 
most  men  sufficiently  great  and  strong  to  succeed  dis- 
honestly are  too  good  or  too  wise  not  to  succeed  honestly. 

Dishonesty  in  everything,  from  business  up  and  down, 
frequently  brings  transient  profit,  but  it  seldom  wins  in 
the  long  run,  and  never  really  succeeds  in  the  end.  It 
is  true  that  many  a  great  business  enterprise  has  been 
built  up  and  maintained  by  dishonest  practices,  and 
this  apparent  success  gives  color  to  the  opinion  that 
honesty  is  not  an  essential  of  profitable  business ;  but 
the  business  which  is  founded  upon  dishonesty  is  not 
a  success  from  any  standpoint  of  respectability. 

Money  has  been  made,  and  can  be  made,  dishonestly. 
Strict  honesty  and  integrity  are  not  always  essential  to 
the  mere  accumulation  of  wealth ;  but  obtaining  money 
alone  is  not  success,  and  the  man  who  gets  his  money 
dishonestly  neither  respects  himself  nor  is  respected. 
He  lives  in  luxury;  and  he  pays,  with  his  honor  and 
his  soul,  an  exorbitant  price  for  what  he  possesses,  but 
does  not  really  enjoy. 

Honesty  is  a  fundamental  factor  of  success.  Outrage 
it,  and  sooner  or  later  it  will  retaliate. 

Go  back  to  twenty-five  years  ago,  and  take  note  of 
the  business  signs  of  prosperity.     Go  through  the  same 

8i 


82  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

streets  to-day,  and  again  read  the  signs  of  business. 
Few,  very  few,  indeed,  mark  the  continued  success  of 
schemers,  boomers,  liars,  and  mercantile  thieves,  who 
made  money  quickly  and  died  sorry  for  it.  The  signs 
of  the  honest  houses  remain  intact.  Watch  the  lives  of 
the  dishonest  firms,  and  see  them  fade  and  fall.  Dis- 
honesty may  pay  a  quicker  dividend  than  will  honesty, 
but  the  aggregate  of  honesty's  receipts  is  many  times 
larger  than  the  profits  of  dishonesty  and  dishonor. 

Honesty  may  not  be  the  best  policy  for  the  man  who 
cares  only  for  worldly  wealth,  who  never  allows  his 
conscience  to  influence  or  trouble  him ;  but  he  is  not  a 
success,  save  as  an  unsatisfied  money-getter.  He  has 
sold  himself  altogether  too  cheaply.  For  more  money 
than  he  can  use,  he  has  exchanged  honor  and  all  that 
is  good  in  the  construction  of  manhood.  He  is  un- 
happy, although  he  may  think  that  he  is  enjoying  life. 
He  is  a  failure  —  a  pitiable  failure.  He  is  friendless, 
homeless,  worthless  to  himself,  a  disgusted  product  of 
degeneration.  Boys,  if  you  would  be  like  him,  willing 
to  sacrifice  all  the  real  good  the  world  can  give  and  the 
prospect  of  an  eternal  future,  then  you  may  cross 
honesty  from  the  lexicon  of  your  endeavor  and  accept 
lifeless  money  in  lieu  of  everything  worth  having ;  but 
if  you  do  this,  in  this  world,  as  well  as  in  the  next,  you 
pay  a  terrible  penalty.  You  will  never  be  happy.  Dis- 
sipation of  every  kind  must  be  used  to  still  your  con- 
science. You  will  live  artificially,  never  breathe  the 
pure  air  of  natural  contentment,  and  you  will  die  leav- 
ing no  home  behind  you,  with  none  before  you. 

Mere  money-making  and  honesty  are  incompatible. 
Success  in  making  money  may  not  require  honesty,  but 
success  of  the  permanent  kind — of  the  kind  worth  hav- 
ing—  has  never  been  made,  and  never  will  be  made, 
dishonestly.  The  thief  can  make  money,  but  he  is  not  a 
success.  The  gambler  can  obtain  money,  but  he  is  not 
a  success,  even  in  his  own  estimation.  The  only  real 
success  is  the  success  of  honesty. 


Honesty  83 

The  character  of  the  man  begins  in  boyhood  and  is 
formed  in  youth.  The  boy  of  honor  is  almost  always 
the  man  of  honor.  The  boy  who  cheats  in  school, 
who  lies  to  his  playmates,  is  very  likely  to  grow  into  a 
man  of  dishonesty  and  to  be  a  failure,  whether  he  has 
money  or  not. 

The  little  vices  of  youth  grow  into  the  big  vices  of 
manhood.  It  is  far  easier  to  train  the  boy  to  be  honest 
than  it  is  to  lift  the  man  from  dishonesty  to  honesty. 

The  school  and  the  home  give  but  a  small  fraction  of 
the  time  and  attention  they  should  give  to  the  teaching 
of  honor  and  integrity.  Cheating  at  recitation  or  at 
examination  often  marks  the  beginning  of  a  complete 
downfall.  Dishonest  practice  in  business  is  not  far 
different  from  dishonest  action  in  school  life.  The  boy 
does  not  materially  change  when  he  jumps  from  the 
schoolroom  into  the  office. 

Honesty  and  integrity  should  be  taught  without  any 
attempt  at  misrepresentation.  Expediency  is  often  but  a 
form  of  misrepresentation.  Many  a  parent  and  teacher, 
who  know  from  experience  that  dishonesty  often  leads 
to  quicker  financial  success,  teach  that  dishonesty  never 
pays,  even  in  a  transient  way.  The  boy,  with  this 
belief  instilled  into  him,  goes  out  into  the  world  and 
finds  that  dishonesty  apparently  pays,  that  men  of  dis- 
honest method  seem  to  succeed,  and  at  one  blow  he 
severs  the  teachings  of  his  boyhood,  believes  that 
what  was  taught  him  —  the  true  and  the  untrue  —  is  a 
lie,  and  learns  the  lesson  of  his  life  from  the  dishonest 
practices  of  the  world. 

Tell  the  boy  the  truth.  He  will  find  it  out  sooner  or 
later.  It  were  better  that  he  find  it  out  sooner  than 
later.  Paint  the  picture  of  life  with  the  brush  of  fact. 
Let  him  see  the  wages  of  dishonesty  and  the  rewards  of 
honesty.  Tell  him  frankly  what  dishonesty  will  prob- 
ably do  for  him,  and  tell  him  as  frankly  what  honesty 
will  probably  do  for  him.  Surround  him  with  the 
whole  truth.     Let  him  choose  with  his  eyes  open,  after 


84  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

he  knows  it  all.  The  boy  who  knows  what  evil  is,  as 
well  as  what  good  is,  is  many  times  better  fortified 
against  evil  than  is  the  boy  who  has  been  kept  from 
the  sight  of  evil  and  allowed  to  see  only  the  good  side 
of  life. 

The  dishonest  man,  if  he  has  any  conscience  —  and 
if  he  hasn't  a  conscience  he  is  not  a  man  —  is  never 
happy  with  the  fulness  of  natural  happiness.  He  is 
but  a  slave  of  artificial  enjoyment,  feeding  on  artificial 
stimulants.  He  is  not  a  success,  whether  he  be  rich  or 
poor.  Dishonor  and  dishonesty  may  seem  to  give  him 
every  pleasure.  As  a  beast,  and  not  as  a  man,  he  may 
enjoy  the  intoxication  of  money,  but  the  manhood  in 
him  is  never  happy. 

Honesty  and  honor,  with  material  gain  or  without  it, 
always  pay. 

Boys,  you  are  on  the  threshold  of  manhood.  It  is 
for  you  to  choose  honesty  and  honor,  with  the  happi- 
ness that  never  dies ;  or  dishonesty  and  dishonor,  with 
the  artificial  pleasures  which  your  manhood  can  never 
enjoy  and  which  may  fade  before  the  rising  of  to- 
morrow's sun. 

Boys,  for  the  sake  of  civilized  progress,  for  the  sake 
of  happiness,  be  honest ;  begin  to  be  honest  now,  if  you 
are  not  honest  already.  Let  integrity  be  your  guiding 
star  from  to-day  and  forevermore.  As  you  are  as  boys, 
so  will  you  probably  be  as  men.  To-day,  not  to-mor- 
row, you  form  your  character.  To-morrow  is  built 
upon  to-day. 

Honesty  gives  every  pleasure  and  every  element  of 
success  worth  having.  Dishonesty  may  make  a  more 
material  show,  may  seem  more  heavily  laden  with 
profit,  but  the  substance  of  dishonesty,  whether  it  bring 
to  its  possessor  a  mountain  of  gold  or  a  monument  of 
fame,  is  as  shallow  as  the  rain-made  pool,  which  has 
neither  length,  nor  breadth,  nor  depth  enough  to  carry 
it  through  a  season  of  drought. 

Dishonesty  never  pays. 


Self-Respect  and  Self-Conceit 

"  Get  the  better;  master  the  worse  " 

SELF-CONCEIT  and  self-respect  are  frequently 
found  together.  The  self-conceited  man  or  boy 
is  seldom  devoid  of  self-respect.  Pure  and  simple 
self-respect  untainted  with  self-conceit  is  not  often 
present  nowadays.  Self-conceit  unmixed  with  self- 
respect  is  worthless  and  dangerous,  but  self-conceit 
properly  mastered  is  one  of  the  constituents  of  success. 

Comparatively  few  people  properly  estimate  them- 
selves. The  modest  man  or  boy  is  often  too  modest ; 
and  the  self-respecting  one  frequently  considers  himself 
in  one  direction  better  than  he  really  is,  and  in  another 
not  as  good  as  he  probably  is. 

The  properly  balanced  man  does  not  live.  If  he  did 
live,  his  equipoise  would  keep  him  at  a  standstill. 

Comparatively  few  people  receive  more  respect  than 
they  have  for  themselves.  The  world  often  reckons  a 
man  as  he  reckons  himself,  and  is  not  likely  to  give  him 
credit  for  more  than  he  himself  assumes  to  possess. 

Fifty  per  cent,  of  expressed  modesty  is  not  true 
modesty.  Most  men  will  say  of  themselves  what  they 
would  not  allow  any  one  else  to  say  of  them.  The 
genuinely  modest  man  is  often  too  retiring  and  lacks 
the  necessary  self-respect  or  self-conceit  and  aggression. 
By  striving  never  to  over-estimate  his  capacity,  he  often 
does  not  give  himself  his  proper  due. 

Modesty  is  a  virtue,  the  proper  balance  of  it  an 
extraordinary  blessing ;  and  the  man  of  self-respect, 
even  though  a  part  of  his  self-respect  is  self-conceit, 
is  more  likely  to  succeed  than  is  the  man  of  simple, 
pure  modesty. 

Self-conceit  by  itself  effectively  wards  off  success. 

No  self-conceited  man  or  boy,  with  self-conceit  his 

85 


86  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

only  possession,  ever  won  any  race,  except  that  in  his 
own  estimation,  and  he  is  a  perpetual  failure. 

Self-respect  is  essential  to  success.  Adulterate  it 
with  a  reasonable  amount  of  self-conceit,  and  it  may 
not  lose  any  of  its  effectiveness. 

Self-confidence  and  self-conceit  are  often  closely 
related. 

Ability,  experience,  and  faithfulness  are  three  of 
the  stones  of  success-building.  The  next  stone  is  self- 
confidence  or  self-respect,  which  enables  a  man  to 
effectively  use  what  he  has. 

Self-conceit,  if  not  too  abundant,  may  revivify  self- 
respect,  so  to  speak,  and  exhilarate  it  into  stronger 
action. 

The  self-respecting  boy,  with  or  without  self-conceit, 
is  pretty  sure  to  become  a  success. 

The  over-modest  boy,  the  one  who  is  constitutionally 
and  continuously  retiring,  who  seldom  exerts  himself 
and  infrequently  pushes  himself  into  anything,  is  likely 
to  be  a  failure  unless  he  be  aroused. 

Self-conceit,  except  in  its  dangerous  purity,  is  not 
necessarily  objectionable.  It  may  be  the  outward 
appearance  of  self-respect  —  the  overflow  of  intense 
natural  capacity. 

The  self-conceited  boy  should  certainly  not  be  en- 
couraged in  his  self-conceit;  but  if  his  conceit  has 
something  back  of  it,  the  unprofitable  part  of  it  can  be 
merged  into  self-respect ;  while  an  attempt  to  force  this 
conceit  out  of  the  boy  may  do  more  harm  than  good. 

Few  of  us,  perhaps  none  of  us,  are  without  self- 
conceit.  It  may  be  that  success  is  impossible  without 
it.  At  any  rate,  it  almost  invariably  accompanies 
success. 

It  has  been  said  that  an  unconceited  man  of  ability 
never  lived. 

Self-conceit,  with  the  sting  out  of  it,  combined  with 
aggressive  self-respect,  is  certainly  far  more  profitable 
than  one  hundred  per  cent,  pure  and  retiring  modesty. 


Self-Respect  and  Self-Conceit  87 

If  there  is  such  a  thing  as  self-respect  uncombined 
with  self-conceit,  it  outgenerals  self-conceit,  and  is  a 
priceless  possession ;  but  as  undefiled  self-respect  does 
not  exist,  or  does  not  seem  to  exist,  and  as  self-conceit 
appears  to  be  part  and  parcel  of  success-making,  it  is 
far  wiser  to  regulate  self-conceit,  and  properly  combine 
it  with  self-respect,  to  self-respect's  benefit,  than  to  take 
the  chance  of  maiming  or  killing  self-respect  in  the 
annihilation  of  self-conceit. 

Our  **  bads"  can  often  be  worked  into  our  **  goods," 
to  the  good  of  our  **  goods." 

If  we  can't  rid  ourselves  of  self-conceit,  let  us  control 
self-conceit  and  work  it  for  profit. 

Self-conceit  is  a  hard  master,  but  may  it  not  be  a 
well-serving  slave? 

If  you  can't  make  it  desert  you,  put  it  at  hard  labor 
under  the  discipline  of  your  self-respect. 


Continuity 

"  Beware  of  the  stop  " 

IN  continuity  is  strength.  In  disconnection  is  failure. 
The  Builder  of  the  Universe  did  not  build  worlds 
on  Monday,  do  nothing  on  Tuesday,  create  some- 
thing on  Wednesday,  rest  on  Thursday,  begin 
again  on  Friday,  and  sleep  on  Saturday.  He  built 
something  every  day,  and  every  day  was  a  full  day, 
and  He  only  stopped  building  when  He  was  through. 

The  strength  of  Nature  is  in  the  continuousness  of 
her  forces. 

The  fundamental  principle  of  motion  is  everlasting. 

The  biggest  fish  are  in  the  brook  that  runs  on  forever. 

The  stream  that  dries  up  this  month,  and  is  a  torrent 
next  month,  is  unsightly  and  unhealthy,  and  but  a 
transient  drain-pipe.  The  strength  of  its  current  is 
offset  by  its  periodical  dryness. 

The  man  who  feeds  his  horse  on  Monday,  and  gives 
him  nothing  to  eat  on  Tuesday,  will  have  a  weak  horse 
on  Wednesday,  and  may  have  a  dead  horse  on  Thurs- 
day. 

If  some  imbecile  should  come  out  of  the  Unthawed 
North  to  preach  the  doctrine  of  continuous  change  of 
business  base,  or  the  habitual  renovation  of  interior 
arrangement,  the  business  men  would  take  him  gently 
by  the  hand,  lead  him  into  Nature's  solitude,  and  leave 
him  there. 

The  boy  who  goes  to  school  on  Monday,  skips  Tues- 
day, and  attempts  to  connect  the  end  of  Monday's  les- 
sons with  the  beginning  of  Wednesday's  studies,  is 
handicapped  by  conditions  diametrically  opposed  to 
progress. 

This  world  is  for  the  workers,  that  there  may  be  no 
shirkers  in  the  continuous  by  and  by. 


Continuity  89 

Some  men  seem  to  succeed  by  violating  the  princi- 
ples of  success-making.  Some  men  jump  off  a  high 
bridge  without  being  killed. 

It  is  the  weakest  kind  of  logic  to  say  that  because 
some  one  man  appears  to  be  able  to  profitably  antago- 
nize the  laws  of  success,  that  his  isolated  example  is 
worthy  of  a  following. 

One  part  of  continuous  good  is  more  negotiable  than 
two  parts  of  transient  good. 

Scholastic  and  business  connection  may  be  broken, 
and  the  breaker  continue  to  succeed ;  one  may  keep  his 
books  with  the  top  of  a  barrel  for  a  desk ;  but  sensible 
men,  users  of  profitable  economy,  don't  do  it. 

Disconnection  is  one  of  the  great  causes  of  failure. 
Imagine  a  speaker  talking  for  half  an  hour,  and  stop- 
ping in  the  middle  of  a  sentence,  to  begin  where  he  left 
off,  a  week  afterwards.  Would  one  hire  a  carpet-layer 
to  put  down  a  breadth  of  carpet  a  day? 

The  man  of  success  began  at  something  worth 
while,  and  has  kept  continuously  at  it. 

The  boy  of  success,  even  at  an  early  age,  works  and 
plays  under  the  direction  of  some  sort  of  continuous 
policy,  crude  though  it  may  be.  He  has  method,  and 
keeps  at  something  everlastingly.  His  likes  and  dis- 
likes are  well  founded.  He  does  not,  of  course,  have 
himself  in  perfect  hand,  but  in  an  undeveloped  way  he 
is,  as  a  boy,  forestalling  by  his  general  action  the  course 
of  his  successful  future. 

In  continuity  there  is  profit.  Without  continuity 
there  must  be  either  complete  failure  or  lack  of  full 
success. 


Profitable  Oneness 

"  One  thing  well  done  is  better  than  many  done  fairly  *' 

THE  strength  of  success  is  in  the  singleness  of  it. 
The  greatness  of  oneness  is  in  its  omnipotence. 
Two  gods  of  equal  power  would  not  be  as  in- 
dividually great  as  either  god  would  be  without 
the  other.  There  should  be  one  thing  at  a  time,  be- 
cause there  are  not  time  and  room  enough  for  two 
things  at  a  time. 

The  economy  of  every  action,  in  business  or  out  of 
business,  focuses  strength  upon  one  point  or  place,  that 
its  full  importance  and  consequence  may  be  maintained. 

He  who  thinks  he  can  do  everything  may  fool  him- 
self, but  does  not  fool  others. 

No  one  can  do  two  things  as  well  as  he  can  do  one 
thing. 

There  never  was  a  successful  book  or  play  with  more 
than  one  leading  character.  On  the  field  of  honor  and 
on  the  field  of  battle  there  can  be  but  one  head-hero. 

Bright  daylight  and  bright  lampHght  make  twilight. 

One  blow  on  the  head  of  the  nail  will  drive  it  further 
into  the  plank  than  a  dozen  blows  on  the  side  of  it,  and 
no  two  hammers  can  hit  the  same  nail-head  at  the  same 
time. 

The  rifle  bullet  reaches  the  mark;  scattering  shot 
brings  only  small  game.  No  gun  ever  fired  more  than 
one  bullet  accurately  at  the  same  time. 

The  man  who  knows  many  things  equally  well  is  not 
properly  equipped  for  the  battle  of  life. 

The  most  successful  man  is  he  who  knows  many 
things  well  and  one  thing  very  well. 

The  successful  buyer  is  not  ignorant  of  selling,  and 
the  successful  seller  knows  something  of  buying ;  but 
the  best  buyer  is  more  expert  at  buying  than  at  selling, 

90 


Profitable  Oneness 


91 


and  the  best  seller  knows  better  how  to  sell  than  how 
to  buy. 

The  boy  who  seems  to  have  no  single  tendency,  who 
does  not  appear  to  enjoy  a  paramount  desire,  who  has 
no  decided  preference  for  anything,  is  not  likely  to 
succeed. 

The  successful  man  has  proficiency  in  some  special 
thing,  but  is  not  ignorant  of  general  things.  For  ex- 
ample, no  eye-specialist  is  fit  to  operate  unless  he 
understands  the  general  principles  of  surgery. 

No  one  ever  succeeded  in  any  branch  of  business 
who  was  ignorant  of  fundamental  business  principles, 
and  no  one  reaches  success  whose  capacity  is  all  gen- 
eral and  in  no  wise  specific. 

It  is  true  that  some  great  financiers  seem  to  win 
profit  out  of  everything,  and  to  possess  an  equable,  all- 
round  ability  ;  but  I  think  that  a  close  scrutiny  into  their 
lives  and  methods  will  conclusively  show  that  their 
success  is  due  to  par-excellence  in  some  one  direction, 
coupled  with  a  grasp  of  general  business  principles. 

The  boy  who  means  to  be  a  specialist  along  some 
line  of  study  cannot  become  proficient  unless  his  edu- 
cation embraces  the  fundamentals  of  learning. 

The  great  geographer  cannot  perfectly  describe  the 
surface  of  the  earth  unless  his  expertness  is  aided  by 
a  broad  general  education. 

No  matter  what  the  boy  is  to  do,  his  general  educa- 
tion must  not  be  neglected.  He  needs  the  fundamentals 
of  education,  the  broadness  of  generalities,  that  he  may 
be  able  to  properly  focus  his  mind  and  the  best  of  his 
ability  upon  the  specialty  of  his  choice. 


Economy  and  Saving 

*'  To-day's  savings  are  to-morrow's  capital  " 

EXTRAVAGANCE  is  the   most  bitter  enemy  of 
business  and  is  opposed  to  proper  and  profitable 
action  of  every  kind.      Extravagance   and  suc- 
cess cannot  live  together.     The  spendthrift  has 
neither  sense  nor  earning  capacity.     He  never  succeeds. 

Meanness  is  not  economy.  The  miser  is  not  eco- 
nomical. He  is  as  bad  as  the  spendthrift,  and  as 
much  of  a  fool.  True  economy  is  the  proper  and 
equable  regulation  of  what  we  have,  for  the  benefit 
of  ourselves  and  the  world. 

The  miser  boy,  who  refuses  to  contribute  to  the 
needs  and  progress  of  others,  who  thinks  of  himself 
alone,  and  who  is  abnormally  fond  of  the  accumula- 
tion of  cash,  may  make  money,  but  except  as  a  lifeless 
money-grabber  he  will  be  a  failure. 

The  liberal  boy  may  not  always  win  great  monied 
wealth,  but  his  liberality  will   not  make   him  a  failure. 

Over-liberality,  too  great  a  consideration  for  others, 
and  too  little  account  of  one's  self,  is  not  to  be  en- 
couraged ;  but  as  this  occurs  so  very  infrequently  it 
need  not  be  discussed  here. 

The  boy  should  be  taught  to  realize  the  true  value, 
significance,  advantage,  and  danger  of  money,  that  he 
may  appreciate  what  it  is  good  for  and  what  it  is  not 
good  for.  He  should  study  money,  and  analyze  it  as 
he  does  any  other  every  day  essential.  He  should  be 
taught  to  handle  it  properly  and  to  the  best  legitimate 
advantage. 

Money  is  a  commodity,  and  the  boy  at  school  should 
not  be  kept  away  from  the  study  of  it. 

A  text-book  on  money  and  its  use  should,  in  my 
opinion,  be  a  part  of  our  educational  library. 

92 


Economy  and  Saving  93 

Money,  like  everything  else  we  misuse,  is  mis- 
directed largely  because  we  have  not  been  taught  to 
profitably  and  economically  handle  it. 

Ignorance  of  a  thing  tends  to  its  improper  use. 

Familiarity  with  anything  cannot  but  facilitate  its 
proper  handling. 

The  spendthrift  man  springs  from  the  spendthrift 
boy. 

The  boy  who  cannot  be  taught  to  properly  take  care 
of  his  spending-money  is  not  likely  to  profitably  finan- 
cier any  business. 

The  making  of  commercial  success  depends  upon 
the  proper  preservation  and  care  of  one's  income 
and  capital. 

Money  is  valuable  for  what  it  does  in  the  present  and 
for  what  it  is  likely  to  be  able  to  do  in  the  future. 
Consequently,  the  making  of  money  is  of  two-part  value 
and  must  be  considered  both  in  its  present  and  future 
capacity. 

To  be  successful  at  money-making,  as  well  as  to  be 
successful  at  anything  else,  requires  both  the  proper 
handling  and  the  well-keeping  of  the  material. 

So  far  as  available  records  show,  no  one  ever  suc- 
ceeded in  money-making  who  did  not  continuously 
practice  economy. 

Every  pile  of  money  started  with  a  single  coin. 

Saving  is  necessary  for  profitable  result. 

The  wasteful  scientist,  who  does  not  care  for  his  in- 
struments of  experiment,  seldom  reaches  top-most 
success. 

The  vocalist,  who  does  not  economically  preserve  his 
voice,  loses  his  voice  or  spoils  it. 

Saving  is  one  of  the  first  laws  of  civilization,  whether 
it  be  the  putting  away  of  money  or  of  any  other  re- 
serve force. 

The  economical  handling  of  money,  and  of  every 
other  possession,  is  absolutely  essential  to  success.    . 

He  who  over-runs  himself  runs  but  a  little  while. 


94  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

He  who  wastes  his  energy  will  soon  be  a  wreck. 

Waste  is  the  foe  to  every  kind  of  progress. 

Proper  saving  is  absolutely  necessary  to  success- 
making. 

If  things  were  not  economically  housed  and  stored, 
the  world  would  soon  be  out  of  everything. 

Nature,  our  great  example  of  liberality,  stores  her 
energies  that  she  may  profitably  distribute  them.  If 
she  had  been  a  spendthrift,  man  would  never  have 
been  created. 

Economy  in  handling  every  commodity,  financial  or 
otherwise,  is  fundamentally  necessary  to  the  up-build- 
ing of  the  race  and  to  the  progress  of  civilization. 

Meanness  and  miserliness  are  opposed  to  economy 
and  progress. 

The  virtue  of  saving  is  in  the  protection  it  renders  by 
holding  in  reserve  what  will  eventually  be  needed  ;  but 
the  holding  in  storage  of  these  necessities  when  they 
are  required  is  criminally  wrong,  and  is  one  of  the 
bitterest  foes  to  civilization. 

The  animal  forages  in  the  summer  that  he  may 
store  for  the  winter.  He  saves  a  part  of  the  food  he 
collects,  not  for  the  sake  of  hoarding  it,  but  for  the 
sake  of  having  it  when  he  wants  it.  He  by  instinct  is 
a  true  economist. 

Unless  by  lucky  chance  the  boy  has  wealth  thrust 
upon  him,  no  one  ever  collected  commanding  riches, 
or  even  a  comfortable  competency,  who  did  not  syste- 
matically and  continuously  save  a  part  of  his  income. 

The  sooner  the  boy  begins  to  save,  —  save  his  money, 
save  his  energy,  save  himself, — the  quicker  he  will 
reach  a  profitable  result. 

The  care  of  the  money  saved  is  second  in  importance 
to  the  saving  of  it. 

"Wildcat''  and  highly-colored  opportunities  for  in- 
vestment line  the  streets  and  blaze  from  every  corner. 
The  interest  they  promise  to  pay  is  from  two  to  a  dozen 
times  more  than  any  safe  enterprise  is  likely  to  pay. 


Economy  and  Saving  95 

The  boy  should  start  a  savings  bank  account  as  soon 
as  he  is  the  recipient  of  money. 

The  savings  bank  is  an  institution  of  civiHzation ;  one 
of  our  bulwarks  of  protection. 

The  boy's  first  dollar  should  be  the  nucleus  of  his 
capital,  and,  so  far  as  is  possible,  he  should  add  to  it 
with  systematic  continuousness. 

A  small  sum  saved  every  month  is  better  than  larger 
sums  saved  irregularly. 

The  boy  should  save  every  cent  which  the  present 
does  not  require. 

If  he  wants  something  badly,  he  must  intelligently 
and  carefully  consider  whether  what  he  wants  is  worth 
more  to  him  now  than  the  money  it  will  cost  will  be 
worth  to  him  by  and  by. 

The  saving's  bank  account  has  been  the  beginning  of 
much  more  than  half  of  our  financial  successes. 

The  boy,  with  a  savings  bank  deposit,  even  though  it 
be  small,  is  a  capitalist,  and  has  something  to  depend 
upon. 

Savings  are  like  the  ammunition  in  the  magazine, 
safely  guarded,  always  ready  for  use,  an  ever-present 
and  dependable  protection. 

Extravagance  is  the  rock  upon  which  half  our  busi- 
ness men  are  wrecked. 

Proper  economy  is  a  forerunner  of  profit. 

Systematic  saving  is  an  essential  of  success. 

The  saver  is  on  the  rock  of  safety ;  the  spender  is  on 
the  sand  of  danger. 

Save,  boys,  save !  Save  properly,  liberally,  intelli- 
gently. Don't  be  misers ;  don't  be  close ;  be  discrimi- 
nating ;  spend  what  you  had  better  spend  than  save ;  save 
what  you  need  not  spend ;  but  save ;  save  something, 
be  it  little  or  much ;  save  whether  your  parents  be  rich 
or  poor;  learn  to  spend  discriminately ;  learn  to  save 
systematically ;  save ! 


The  Good-for-Nothing 

"  Pity  him  ;  help  him  ;  make  him  a  good-for-something  " 

THERE  are  boys  —  let  us  hope  their  number  is 
small  —  who  are  apparently  good  for  nothing, 
who  seem  to  totally  lack  ambition,  whose  minds 
are  close  to  blankness,  who  possess  no  special 
talent,  who  are  lazy,  indifferent,  and  careless,  and  who 
may  or  may  not  have  bad  habits.  These  boys  are 
marked  with  failure.  They  are  predisposed  to  worth- 
lessness.  Possibility  may  run  them  into  success ;  prob- 
ability is  against  their  advancement.  The  boy  who  will 
not  arouse  himself,  or  who  cannot  be  aroused  while 
he  is  a  boy,  is  not  likely  to  be  anything  more  than 
a  very  ordinary  man.  He  begins  as  a  good-for- 
nothing  and  is  likely  to  be  a  good-for-nothing  all  his 
life,  seldom  rising  beyond  a  hand-to-mouth  proficiency. 
If  the  good-for-nothing  boy  is  naturally  bad,  he  will 
make  no  effort  to  correct  his  faults,  and  is  likely  to 
spend  a  part  of  his  time  in  jail.  If  he  is  naturally  good, 
as  common  goodness  goes  —  that  is,  if  he  does  no  crime 
of  commission,  and  by  omission  keeps  within  the  law, 
he  will  probably  do  no  more  than  barely  support  him- 
self ;  very  likely  he  will  be  a  drain  upon  his  relatives, 
and  be  at  best  but  a  colorless  citizen.  He  is  like  the 
lower-grade  horse,  of  no  use  as  a  worker  except  as  one 
of  two  car-horses  hitched  together  under  the  rigid  dis- 
cipline of  a  tracked-out  route  and  brake.  The  attempt 
to  make  a  good-for-something  out  of  a  good-for-nothing 
may  be  a  waste  of  time  and  energy,  often  worse  than 
useless,  because  it  may  inflict  cruelty  upon  the  subject. 
If  there  be  no  capacity,  proficiency  is  impossible. 

Understand,  I  am  using  the  expression  *' good-for- 
nothing  "  as  a  designation  for  inferior  mentality.  There 
is  probably  no  such  thing  as  a  human  good-for-nothing. 

96 


The  Good-for-Nothing  97 

Everybody  may  be  good  for  something,  but  the  so- 
called  good-for-nothing  is  good  for  very  little,  and  the 
little  which  he  can  do  must  be  under  the  direction  of 
others. 

The  place  for  the  good-for-nothing  is  where  he  will 
be  under  constant  and  kind  discipline,  always  treated 
fairly,  never  allowed  to  do  less  than  he  can  do,  and 
never  forced  to  go  beyond  his  capacity.  If  he  has 
physical  qualifications,  the  army  or  the  navy  is  a  good 
place  for  him.  There  somebody  will  think  for  him, 
and  he  will  have  to  do  the  specific  amount  of  work  laid 
out  for  him,  and  even  his  limited  mental  capacity  will 
enable  him  to  render  acceptable  service. 

The  good-for-nothing  is  unfit  to  marry,  and  has  no 
right  to  have  a  home  of  his  own.  Physically  speaking, 
he  is  an  engine  of  so  much  ignorant  power.  He  can 
push  and  pull,  but  he  is  not  fit  to  manage  or  regulate. 
As  a  part  of  a  disciplined,  orderly  machine  he  is  a 
success.  In  the  army  or  navy,  or  elsewhere  as  a  me- 
chanical helper,  he  can  better  serve  his  country  than 
in  any  other  way.  The  parents  of  a  good-for-nothing 
who  attempt  to  push  him  beyond  his  capacity  injure 
their  boy  and  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 

Is  the  boy  a  good-for-nothing  ?  A  suspicion  that  he 
is  may  not  be  founded  in  fact.  It  takes  time  to  diag- 
nose a  good-for-nothing,  for  many  an  apparent  good- 
for-nothing  is  a  good-for-something. 

The  parents  and  teachers  of  the  alleged  good-for- 
nothing,  before  deciding  that  he  is  incapacitated  for 
anything  except  unskilled  labor,  should  most  carefully 
watch  and  analyze  the  boy,  should  apply  every  test, 
should  make  every  attempt  to  arouse  him,  should  re-test 
and  re-attempt  to  pull  him  out  of  stagnation.  If  these 
attempts  fail,  and  the  boy  remains  indifferent  and  lazy, 
then  develop  and  regulate  his  physical  strength,  give 
him  the  rudiments  of  education,  and  put  him  to  work 
under  discipline,  in  a  place  where  others  will  do  the 
thinking  and  directing. 


Keep  on  the  Line 

"  Be  always  founded  in  stability  " 

IN  my  youth  I  was  a  school  soldier  and  served  with 
gun  and  sword.  I  shall  never  forget  the  training 
of  military  discipline.  Well  do  I  remember  the 
refreshing  and  delightful  order  (perhaps  they  say 
it  differently  now),  which  like  a  cooling  zephyr  floated 
down  the  line  after  a  hard  march  on  a  dusty  road : 

**  Halt !  Order  arms  !     In  place  —  rest !  " 

Then  every  one  could  do  as  he  chose,  if  he  kept  one 
foot  on  the  line.  He  could  talk  with  his  neighbor,  he 
could  laugh,  if  he  kept  one  foot  on  the  line.  He  could 
drink  pink  lemonade,  he  could  sit  or  stand,  he  could 
yawn  and  stretch  if  he  wished,  but  he  must  keep  one 
foot  on  the  line,  so  that  when  the  command,  ''Atten- 
tion ! "  came,  he  had  a  part  of  himself  in  place,  and  had 
only  to  snap  the  other  parts  into  the  position  of  action. 

The  discipline  of  the  soldier  should  be  a  part  of 
every  life,  and  every  successful  man  is  under  the  rule 
of  just  discipline  and  strict  orders  of  judgment. 

Let  the  man  of  originality  throw  his  arms  upward 
and  look  into  the  clouds  and  partly  plan  his  career  by 
the  visions  of  the  sky.  It  will  do  him  good.  No  one 
with  both  feet  constantly  on  the  earth  can  ever  rise 
above  the  ground;  but  let  the  man  of  vision  always 
have  one  foot  on  the  line,  one  foot  always  planted  on 
the  earth  of  conservative  certainty. 

He  may  branch  out  with  his  arms,  if  he  will,  and 
even  with  his  other  leg,  but  never  should  every  part  of 
him  be  off  the  line  of  safety.  Then  will  he  always 
be  in  position  to  return  to  duty  at  the  command  of 
''Attention!" 


Luck 

"  If  you  have  it,  use  it ;  but  don't  wait  for  it " 

THE  proof  of  the  pudding  is  not  all  in  the  eat- 
ing. The  element  of  luck,  as  well  as  that  of 
ability  and  opportunity,  contributes  to  the  build- 
ing of  profit.  The  man  who  is  unsuccessful 
says  **luck  is  against  him,"  and  may  charge  against 
luck  that  which  belongs  either  to  inability  or  to  lack 
of  persistency. 

The  man  of  success  seldom  recognizes  luck,  but 
places  the  cause  of  his  uprising  upon  his  alleged  capac- 
ity and  his  untiring  energy.  He  credits  himself  with 
all  that  he  owns  and  with  all  he  can  borrow. 

Both  are  wrong.  That  which  is  called  luck,  for  want 
of  a  better  name,  works  against  the  unfortunate  and 
assists  the  fortunate. 

What  luck  really  is,  no  one  knows,  nor  is  it  under  any 
recognized  control.  It  comes  from  apparent  nowhere, 
circles  like  the  irresponsible  comet,  and  returns  to  seem- 
ing nothing. 

Luck,  whatever  it  may  be,  must  not  be  depended 
upon. 

He  who  waits  for  his  luck  seldom  meets  it. 

The  ship  never  comes  in  to  the  loafer  on  the  dock. 

Luck  has  never  made  a  man,  for  luck  is  not  con- 
tinuous and  lacks  p^ermanency  and  stability. 

Boys,  let  luck  alone.  You  cannot  bring  it  to  your- 
selves, nor  can  you  send  it  away.  Whatever  it  is,  it  is 
not  subject  to  your  orders.  Do  not  think  about  it,  and 
certainly  you  should  not  depend  upon  it. 

What  is  called  luck  may  not  seem  to  distribute  itself 
with  common  fairness  or  good  judgment;  but  if  one 
will  follow  it  long  enough  to  table  it  into  comparative 
statistics  he  will  find  that  luck  is  not  entirely  devoid  of 

99 


lOO         The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

intelligence,  and  that  it  frequently  visits  those  who  can 
best  entertain  it. 

Many  a  boy  or  man  never  had  luck  because  he  was 
asleep  when  luck  knocked  at  his  door. 

Luck  seldom  forces  itself  upon  one.  It  calls,  and  if 
invited,  comes  in ;  but  it  doesn't  care  to  stay  where  it 
is  not  properly  taken  care  of. 

If  luck  will  not  help,  strive  all  the  harder  and  get 
along  without  it. 

If  luck  wants  to  assist,  be  prepared  to  use  it  to  the 
best  advantage. 

Do  your  best ;  you  cannot  do  more. 

If  you  do  your  best,  you  will  be  able  to  get  along 
without  luck.  If  you  do  your  best  you  will  be  all  the 
better  off  if  luck  comes  your  way. 

Bewailing  one's  bad  luck  will  not  bring  good  luck. 

Cursing  luck  will  not  make  luck  your  friend. 

Enviousness  of  other  people's  luck  will  not  bring  luck 
to  you. 

Be  prepared  to  get  along  without  luck,  and  be  ready 
to  use  luck  when  it  comes. 

Waiting  for  luck  waits  on  failure,  unmans  a  man, 
dwarfs  a  boy. 

You  can  get  along  without  luck ;  you  may  do  better 
with  it;  but  waiting  for  it,  depending  upon  it,  never 
brought  it;  so  don't  think  about  it;  think  about  your 
duty ;  mind  your  business,  and  work. 


Appearances 

"As  we  seem,  so  may  we  be  taken  to  be  " 

OUR  mothers  used  to  say  that  beauty  was  only 
skin  deep,  and  our  mothers  were  right  from 
their  puritanic  view-point.  Our  mothers  lived 
in  the  atmosphere  of  their  own  good,  old- 
fashioned  homes,  where  the  real  was  reckoned  as 
worthy  because  it  was  real. 

In  mothers'  days,  the  conventional  wolf  in  sheep's 
clothing  was  not  so  often  taken  for  the  well-behaved 
lamb.  The  truth  stood  for  the  truth,  and  the  lie  stood 
for  the  lie,  and  competition  was  more  manly,  honest, 
and  clean.  The  science  of  artificiality  and  the  modern 
art  of  sham  were  then  too  poorly  compounded  to  pass 
for  genuineness. 

I  am  speaking  from  the  platform  of  present  condi- 
tions. It  may  be  that  the  planks  are  rickety,  and 
perhaps  the  beams  are  weak,  but  what  is,  is,  until  it  is 
not,  and  modern  business  success  must  win  the  battle  of 
the  present,  equipped  with  the  arms  of  the  present, 
recognizing  present  forces. 

The  outside  is  outside,  and  the  inside  is  inside,  and 
because  the  outside  is  outside,  folks  see  the  outside 
before  they  see  the  inside ;  and  many  people,  rightly 
or  wrongly,  judge  the  inside  by  the  looks  of  the 
outside. 

In  the  making  of  success  appearances  count.  Ne- 
gotiable intrinsic  value  must  have  the  appearance  of 
intrinsic  worth.  Food  is  food,  but  the  digestion  of  food 
is  not  independent  of  the  appetizing  appearance  of  it, 
for  the  food  which  looks  appetizing,  and  is  well  served, 
will  digest  better,  all  things  being  equal,  than  the  same 
nutriment  of  poorer  appearance  and  carelessly  presented. 

What's  the  good  of  unknown  good?     Good  that  is 

lOI 


102         The  Bay: — How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

not  in  circulation,  that  is  not  seen,  that  is  not  known 
about,  does  not  have  the  opportunity  of  doing  the  good 
that  known  good  can  do. 

The  appearance  of  good  enhances  the  value  of  good 
itself.  The  doing  of  good  is  fundamental.  The 
appearance  of  good-doing,  provided  that  good-doing  is 
back  of  it,  not  only  increases  the  value  of  the  good, 
but  is  an  example  of  the  most  considerable  moment. 

Proper  self-respect  isn't  loaded  with  self-conceit.  The 
proper  presentation  of  one's  ability,  like  the  proper  pres- 
entation of  the  intrinsic  value  of  goods,  is  necessary  to 
the  rounding  out  of  success. 

Appearances  in  themselves  are  worth  nothing. 

Appearances,  backed  with  worth,  are  an  aid  to  the 
worth  of  worth. 

The  boy  or  man.  has  no  more  right  to  misrepresent 
himself  than  he  has  to  misrepresent  others. 

One  is  seldom  reckoned  at  less  than  he  reckons 
himself. 

Honest  appearances  are  essential  to  success.  Dis- 
honest appearances  react  sooner  or  later. 

Look  as  well  as  you  can.  Don't  be  a  dude  or  a 
dandy.  Look  clean  because  you  are  clean.  Dust 
your  clothes ;  black  your  shoes ;  keep  your  hair 
brushed ;  take  care  of  your  face  and  hands  and  your 
nails ;  always  look  tidy ;  never  look  slovenly.  Be 
manly,  and  look  it.  Appear  the  gentleman,  and  be 
the  gentleman.  Show  yourself  and  what  you  have 
to  the  best  advantage.  Don't  over-represent;  don't 
under-represent. 

Be  your  best,  do  your  best,  and  appear  at  your  best, 
if  you  would  win  the  fulness  of  success. 


Health 

"  Health  is  Nature's  Intention  " 

HEALTH  is  both  a  natural  and  an  acquired  pos- 
session. Nature  made  no  provision  for  disease 
and  unhealthiness.  She  elected  man  to  be 
born  healthy,  and  ordained  that  he  should 
enjoy  perpetual  health,  live  to  ripest  maturity,  and  die 
only  from  old  age  or  accident. 

Health  is  one  of  the  vital  elements  of  success.  With- 
out it,  complete  success  is  impossible.  True,  many  a 
weak  man  has  achieved  fame ;  but  the  famous  sick 
would  have  been  more  celebrated,  and  would  have  ac- 
complished more,  had  they  been  well. 

Sickness  and  weakness  are  outrages  against  Nature, 
and  principal  impediments  to  civilized  progress. 

The  health  of  the  man  begins  with  the  boy  —  yes, 
the  health  of  the  man  of  to-day  began  with  the  boy  of 
centuries  ago ;  and  the  health  and  strength  of  the  boy 
of  to-morrow  are  dependent  upon  the  conditions  of  the 
past  and  the  conditions  of  the  present. 

The  weaknesses  of  boyhood  generally  remain  through 
manhood.  The  best  of  inherited  health  will  run  into 
weakness  and  disease  unless  it  be  properly  preserved. 

While  inheritance  is  a  potent  factor,  most  boys,  un- 
healthily born  and  inheriting  ancestral  weakness,  can, 
by  care  and  development,  be  rounded  out  into  men  of 
fair  health  and  strength.  The  best  of  inheritance  with- 
out good  environment  seldom  raises  vigorous  bodies  and 
strong  mentality. 

It  is  the  parents'  bounden  duty  to  give  the  boy  the 
best  physical  chance  possible ;  to  care  as  carefully  for 
his  health  as  for  any  other  part  of  his  training ;  and  it 
is  the  boy's  duty,  when  he  is  old  enough,  to  look  out  for 
his  physical  side  as  well  as  for  any  of  his  other  sides, 

J03 


104        ^^^  ^^y  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Most  boys  abuse  Nature ;  and  if  Nature  were  not 
tolerant  and  kind,  one-half  of  our  boys  would  die  in 
their  teens. 

Few  of  us,  old  or  young,  know  how  to  live  hygieni- 
cally,  healthily,  and  properly ;  and  those  who  do  under- 
stand themselves,  seldom  use  their  knowledge  to  full 
advantage. 

Civilization  will  never  materially  progress  until  the 
Temples-of-Our-Souls  are  as  intelligently  erected,  and 
as  carefully  tended,  as  are  our  material  edifices  of  trade 
and  business. 

If  our  stores  and  offices  and  other  places  of  work 
were  as  indifferently  cared  for  as  are  our  bodies  and 
our  minds,  business  and  all  activity  would  die  in  its 
own  grave  of  carelessness. 

We  are  ever  watchful  of  our  mechanical  engines  — 
oil  them,  renovate  them,  and  keep  them  in  repair  —  and 
yet  we  refuse  to  treat  the  casements  of  our  eternal  souls 
with  one-half  the  care  we  give  to  the  inanimate. 

Nine-tenths  of  our  boys  eat  too  rapidly,  and  this  lack 
of  proper  mastication  leads  to  chronic  indigestion. 

Most  boys  do  not  take  the  proper  amount  or  the  right 
kind  of  exercise.  They  either  over- train  or  under- 
train. 

Comparatively  few  boys  are  fed  upon  the  right  kind 
of  food.  They  eat  too  much  of  one  thing  and  too 
little  of  another.  They  consume  too  much  meat,  too 
much  pastry,  too  much  indigestible  and  innutritions 
stuff.  White  bread,  falsely  called  "  The  Staff  of  Life," 
and  so  generally  given  to  the  young,  contains  few  of 
the  elements  of  building  and  sustaining  nutrition.  More 
than  half  of  wheat's  nutritive  and  life-giving  qualities 
are  bolted  out  of  white  flour.  Whole-wheat  flour  con- 
tains much  of  Nature's  nutriments,  and  is  the  only 
proper  wheat  flour  for  bread-making. 

The  boy  needs  the  whole  of  food,  not  perverted  parts 
of  it.  The  total  of  his  food  should  contain  all  the 
necessary  nutriments  as  Nature  arranged  them.     These 


Health  105 

he  will  find  if  his  diet  consists  of  wheat  and  other 
grains,  vegetables,  fruit,  milk,  eggs,  fish,  and  a  reason- 
able amount  of  meat,  or  no  meat  at  all. 

Many  a  boy  refuses  to  eat  the  plainer  foods  because 
he  has  been  pampered  with  the  richer  viands,  and  be- 
cause the  nutritious  foods  given  him  have  not  been 
properly  cooked  and  served. 

The  mother  is  criminally  negligent  if  she  is  deficient 
in  the  art  of  cooking  and  ignorant  of  a  knowledge  of 
food  qualities. 

Every  parent,  both  fathers  and  mothers,  should  study 
food  and  food  requirements,  and  should  see  to  it  that 
their  children  not  only  have  proper  food  material,  but 
that  it  is  properly  cooked  and  properly  served. 

The  establishment  of  food  schools  and  food  clubs 
and  courses  of  food  lectures  is  to  be  enthusiastically 
recommended. 

No  woman  is  fit  to  be  wife,  mother,  or  housekeeper 
who  does  not  understand  food  and  its  preparation ;  and 
those  who  are  now  ignorant  of  these  essentials  should 
immediately  acquire  the  knowledge. 

Something  besides  a  cook-book  should  be  a  part  of 
every  home  library.  There  are  several  authoritative 
and  intelligible  works  on  food  and  its  preparation ;  one 
or  more  of  these  books  should  be  in  every  home,  and 
their  contents  should  be  understood  by  both  parents,  as 
well  as  by  those  who  have  charge  of  the  buying  and 
cooking. 

The  introduction  of  the  cooking  school,  although, 
perhaps,  too  much  permeated  by  fadism,  is  a  step  in  the 
right  direction.  There  should  be  more  cooking  schools, 
and  they  should  teach  the  truth,  and  the  whole  truth  — 
the  chemistry  of  food,  as  well  as  the  dainty  preparation 
of  it. 

Food  is  a  necessity,  as  vital  to  human  action  as  fuel 
is  to  the  mechanical  engine,  and  it  is  a  damning  blot 
upon  our  present  page  of  civilization  that  the  world 
gives   more   care   to   the  iron  boiler   and   to   the   fuel 


io6        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

under  it,  than  to  the  food-fuel  required  by  our  humaH 
bodies. 

The  demand  for  stimulants  and  for  rich,  unpalatable, 
and  indigestible  foods  is  due  largely  to  perverted  appe- 
tite ;  and  perverted  appetite  is  often  caused  by  false 
foods  and  the  improper  preparation  and  serving  of 
food  substantial . 

People  eat  what  they  ought  not  to  eat,  because  what 
they  ought  to  eat  is  not  properly  prepared  and  served. 

Naturally,  people  do  not  eat  or  drink  to  excess,  nor 
do  they  naturally  crave  for  indigestible  food.  Because 
they  cannot  get  what  they  need,  or  do  not  know  what 
they  need,  they  acquire  an  unnatural  appetite,  which  in 
its  turn  demands  unnatural  stimulants  and  food.  Tem- 
perance in  eating  is  of  as  much  consequence  as  tem- 
perance in  drinking.  The  natural,  happy,  healthy, 
well-regulated  man  neither  drinks,  nor  eats,  nor  does 
anything  else,  to  excess;  and  the  natural,  well-in-hand 
man  springs  from  the  natural,  healthy  boy. 

The  boy  needs  outdoors,  and  he  should  be  outdoors  as 
much  as  possible,  and  the  good  air  of  outdoors  should  fol- 
low him  indoors.  He  should  never  sleep  in  a  close  room 
at  night ;   nor  study  nor  play  in  unventilated  quarters. 

Good  night  air  does  not  hurt  anybody ;  bad  night 
air  is  injurious ;  impure  air  is  a  breeder  of  colds  and 
disease. 

Plenty  of  good  air  braces  and  strengthens  every 
fiber. 

A  draft  is  dangerous,  but  good  ventilation  does  not 
require  drafts. 

Bathing  is  essential.  Colds  come  from  clogged,  not 
from  open,  pores. 

The  well-kept,  healthy  skin  wards  off  disease.  The 
unscrubbed,  bundled-up  boy  is  seldom  well. 

The  boy  should  not  study  too  much,  and  his  study 
should  never  interfere  with  a  proper  amount  of  exer- 
cise and  the  hygienic  care  of  himself.  But  too  little 
gtudy  makes  a  loafer.     All  play  is  bad  for  any  one. 


Health  107 

Too  much  study  under  confinement  seldom  accom- 
plishes anything,  and  if  it  does,  it  costs  more  than  it  is 
worth. 

The  boy  should  live  naturally  and  as  close  as  pos- 
sible to  Nature.  He  should  eat  enough,  and  no  more ; 
he  should  sleep  enough,  and  not  too  much ;  he  should 
be  out  in  the  open  air  at  all  seasons  of  the  year ;  he 
should  spend  the  night  in  a  well-ventilated  room;  he 
should  live  according  to  the  laws  of  Nature. 

Parents  should  understand  not  only  how  to  feed  the 
boy,  but  should  also  have  an  intelligent  knowledge  of 
hygiene  and  sanitary  arrangement.  They  should  not 
be  ignorant  of  human  physiology,  and  should  be  in- 
formed in  regard  to  everything  necessary  for  the  proper 
care  of  the  boy.  This  knowledge  they  can  obtain  from 
books,  from  experience,  and  from  contact  with  the  in- 
telligent side  of  the  world. 

Ignorance  of  health  matters  is  without  excuse.  With 
our  libraries  and  other  facilities  for  the  dissemination  of 
knowledge,  there  is  no  reason  why  every  parent  should 
not  be  informed  in  regard  to  matters  of  health. 

Home-doctoring  should  be  discouraged.  In  emer- 
gencies it  is  sometimes  necessary,  but  it  should  never 
be  practiced  if  the  services  of  a  reputable  physician 
can  be  obtained. 

The  indiscriminate  administration  of  medicine  is  posi- 
tively dangerous  and  seldom  efficacious,  and  has  ruined 
many  a  boy's  constitution. 

When  in  the  slightest  doubt,  call  the  physician. 

Outside  of  the  use  of  a  few  harmless  remedies,  which 
may  be  given  when  it  is  positively  known  that  the  ail- 
ment is  of  slight  consequence,  parents  have  no  moral 
right,  and  they  should  have  no  legal  right,  to  doctor 
the  child. 

Call  the  doctor. 

It  is  better  to  call  the  doctor  too  many  times  than  too 
few.  It  is  his  business  to  know,  and  as  a  rule  he  doeg 
knowt 


io8         The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

A-doctor-in-time  is  a  hundred  times  cheaper  in  the 
end. 

The  physician  is  one  of  the  noblest  products  of  civil- 
ization. There  are  charlatans  in  the  ranks,  and  occa- 
sionally one  finds  an  incompetent  and  careless  practi- 
tioner ;  but  physicians  as  a  class  represent  the  highest 
grade  of  composite  intelligence. 

The  regular  physician  —  and  no  other  should,  in  my 
judgment,  be  allowed  to  practice  —  has  to  be  an  edu- 
cated man.  Nothing  but  ability  can  earn  or  obtain  a 
diploma  from  the  regularly  established  medical  schools. 

Personally,  doctors  represent  the  best  of  human  char- 
acter and  citizenship.  They  are  men  of  brains,  men  of 
learning,  and  men  of  experience  —  men  v/ho  are  willing 
to  sacrifice  ease  and  money  for  the  benefit  of  the  race. 

The  number  of  incompetent  physicians  is  too  few  to 
count  against  the  craft  as  a  whole ;  while  the  poorest 
physician,  with  the  knowledge  he  has,  is  safer  than  the 
unmedical  parent. 

Doctors  make  mistakes ;  none  of  us  are  perfectly 
proficient;  but  the  errors  of  practice  and  experience 
are  far  less  frequent  and  much  less  dangerous  than  the 
blunders  of  ignorance. 

It  is  the  parents'  duty  to  keep  in  touch  with  a  good 
family  physician,  for  the  benefit  of  themselves  and  their 
children ;  and  everybody,  no  matter  how  strong  and 
healthy  he  or  she  is,  should  occasionally  be  seen  and 
overhauled  by  a  first-class  medical  practitioner. 

It  is  cheaper  to  keep  the  boy  in  health  than  to  make 
the  sick  boy  well. 

The  good  physician  is  always  a  man  of  experience. 
He  sees  the  world  as  the  world  is,  and  he  is  a  safe  and 
wise  adviser  upon  general  matters,  as  well  as  upon  those 
of  health  and  sickness. 

Many  a  boy  dies  or  becomes  critically  ill  under  the 
watchful  care  of  loving  parents,  when  the  early  at- 
tendance of  a  skilful  physician  might  have  saved  his 
life  or  brought  him  health. 


Health 


109 


No  proprietary  medicines  of  any  kind  should  be  given 
to  any  one,  or  taken  by  anybody,  without  the  advice  of 
a  regular  physician.  Those  which  are  good  for  any- 
thing and  possess  medicinal  properties,  it  stands  to  rea- 
son will  be  recommended  by  some  member  of  the  great 
medical  fraternity. 

Some  patent  medicines  are  made  of  cheap  alcohol, 
physic,  and  other  drugs;  and  often,  if  they  are  not 
positively  injurious,  they  are  likely  to  have  no  medic- 
inal value  whatever. 

The  indiscriminate  taking  of  any  medicine,  good  or 
bad,  is  unsafe,  and  is  to  be  condemned. 

A  certain  boy  is  sick.  Ignorant  parents  dose  him 
with  home-made  or  patent  medicine.  The  boy  gets 
well.  Possibly  the  medicine  helped  him.  Perhaps 
Nature  did  all  the  work.  The  boy  next  door  is  taken 
sick.  Apparently  he  is  suffering  from  the  same  com- 
plaint. His  igncrant  parents  give  him  the  same  con- 
coction, assuming  that  if  this  medicine  was  good  for 
the  first  boy  it  is  good  for  all  the  boys  on  the  street. 
The  second  boy's  disease  may  be  similar  to  the  first 
boy's  ailment,  but  he  has  a  different  constitution  and 
requires  a  different  medicine  and  a  different  treatment. 
What  is  medicine  for  one  may  be  poison  for  another. 

No  one  but  an  educated  and  trained  practitioner  can 
properly  diagnose.  This  is  the  doctor's  business.  He 
fails  sometimes,  but  more  often  his  diagnosis  is  correct 
and  the  treatment  he  prescribes  beneficial. 

The  label  on  the  medicine  bottle  is  inanimate.  It 
cannot  have  diagnostic  intelligence. 

Probably  fifteen  per  cent,  of  our  home-houses  are  un- 
fit to  live  in,  and  perhaps  ninety  per  cent,  are  not  fully 
healthy.  Not  more  than  twenty  per  cent,  of  our  houses 
are  well  ventilated,  and  not  one-half  of  them  are  kept 
dusted  and  clean. 

A  large  proportion  of  youthful  deaths  is  due  to 
parental  ignorance  and  unintentional  carelessness.  I 
am    speaking    plainly,    but   this   is    a   place   for   plain 


no        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

speaking,  and  no  intelligent  parent  will  take  exception 
to  the  honest  sincerity  of  my  statements. 

The  boy  is  entitled  to  his  health.  It  belongs  to  him. 
God  and  Nature  gave  it  to  him ;  and  he  who  takes  it 
away  from  him  is  a  thief  and  a  murderer. 

The  boy  should  be  taught  the  principles  of  health 
with  his  alphabet. 

The  schools  do  not  give  sufficient  attention  to  the 
diffusion  of  health  essentials. 

A  health-course  should  be  a  part  of  all  school  instruc- 
tion. It  should  begin  in  the  lower  classes  and  continue 
through  every  grade. 

The  teacher  and  the  parents  together  should  teach 
the  boy  to  know  health,  to  appreciate  what  it  is,  and 
what  it  is  worth,  that  he  may  help  to  make  and  keep 
himself  healthy. 

In  the  health  of  the  child  is  the  strength  of  the 
nation. 


Giving  and  Taking  Advice 

"  To  mutual  benefit  " 

NEITHER  advice,  nor  suggestion,  nor  rules,  nor 
experience  are  capable  of  establishing  infallible 
law.  The  best  intent,  fortified  v^ith  the  broadest 
experience  and  the  strongest  power  of  diagnosis, 
may  start  the  boy  on  the  wrong  road  and  continue  to 
lead  him  in  the  way  he  should  not  go.  Certainty  does 
not  exist  in  an  uncertain  world.  There  must  be  excep- 
tions to  every  rule.  The  law  of  probability  is  the  best 
and  safest  guide,  and  the  nearest  to  impossible  certainty. 

No  boy  knows  just  what  he  is  good  for,  nor  can 
he  determine  the  best  business  or  professional  road  to 
travel,  and  there  is  no  parent  or  instructor,  or  any  one 
else,  who  can  guarantee  his  advice  and  direction.  What 
seeme,  after  the  most  careful  reasoning  and  in  the  light 
of  the  present,  to  be  the  most  probable  is,  in  the  absence 
of  brighter  light,  the  thing  to  do. 

Probabilities  are  generally  safe  to  follow.  Possibili- 
ties often  lead  to  danger.  The  compass  does  not  always 
point  to  the  magnetic  north ;  but  often  the  compass,  in 
its  imperfection,  is  the  safest  guide  the  mariner  can 
follow.     Probability  is  the  nearest  to  surety. 

The  four  principal  factors  in  the  starting  and  guiding 
of  the  boy  are :  The  boy  himself,  the  boy's  parents,  the 
boy's  teachers,  and  the  experience  and  unbiased  judg- 
ment of  outsiders.  The  mature  boy's  right  to  choose 
his  future  course,  provided  his  preference  is  based  upon 
sound  reason,  may  be  considered  the  chief  right. 

Wise  and  proper  parents  have  made  a  close  and  inter- 
ested study  of  their  boy,  and  their  opinions,  unless 
they  be  mixed  with  prejudice  and  over-ambition,  are 
worthy  of  much  consideration. 

The  opinions  of  teachers,  if  they  be  adapted  to  their 


112         The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

calling,  are  of  great  consequence.  Sometimes  the 
teachers,  rather  than  the  boy  or  his  parents,  can  de- 
termine with  closer  accuracy  what  is  best  for  the  boy 
to  do. 

In  every  trade,  business,  and  profession  there  are 
many  representatives,  who  are  expert  at  diagnosis  and 
prognosis  and  are  capable  of  giving  reasonable,  sen- 
sible, and  practical  advice.  Parents  will  do  well  to 
present  their  boys  to  these  experts  for  examination  and 
council.  The  advice  of  these  men  may  be  of  inesti- 
mable value,  and  in  case  they  cannot  tell  the  boy  what 
to  do,  they  can,  at  least,  give  him  and  his  parents  defi- 
nite and  unbiased  information  about  the  calling  they 
represent.  They  are  in  a  position  to  know.  What  they 
say  is  from  the  head  of  experience,  not  from  the  book 
of  theory. 

The  advice  of  any  one  need  not  be  considered  author- 
itative, but  the  majority  advice  of  competent  several 
may  be  accepted  as  the  truth.  No  business  or  profes- 
sional man  who  is  not  a  success  is  competent  to  give 
advice  along  the  line  of  his  failure.  Good  advice 
always  comes  from  folks  of  successful  experience,  who 
may  and  may  not  have  been  disciplined  by  their  mastery 
of  failure.  The  failure  is  unfit  to  advise,  and  his  un- 
supported advice  must  never  be  acted  upon. 

Advice  has  been  called  **  cheap,"  and  some  of  it  is, 
but  no  one  ever  succeeded  without  it,  and  the  advice  of 
fair-minded  people  of  profitable  experience  is  never 
unworthy  of  intelligent  consideration. 

No  man  of  intellectual  capacity  and  good  sense  ever 
refuses  to  accept  good  advice,  and  never  allows  himself 
to  get  along  without  it.  He  keeps  in  close  and  daily 
contact  with  men  of  sound  judgment,  and  exchanges 
his  ideas  for  those  of  others  —  in  fact,  he  is  in  continu- 
ous advisory  session.  He  is  master  of  himself  —  master, 
because  he  has  mastered  his  conceit.  To  the  little  he 
knows  he  adds  the  much  he  knows  about  what  others 
know.     He  is  a  clearing-house  of  information  and  ex- 


Giving  and  Taking  Advice  113 

perience.  Because  he  respects  himself  and  has  con- 
fidence in  himself,  he  respects  the  opinion  of  others. 
He  knows  that  by  himself  alone  he  cannot  be  a  good 
citizen  nor  successful  and  proficient  in  anything.  He  is 
a  perpetual  scholar.  He  has  a  mind  of  his  own  and  is 
firm  in  his  convictions,  but  he  is  always  open  to  reason, 
testing  his  own  opinions  in  the  crucible  of  intelligent 
public  opinion,  that  its  quality  may  be  kept  up  to  the 
proper  standard. 

The  chronic,  undiscriminating  advice-taker  is  a  fool. 

The  stubborn,  sufficient-unto-himself  man  is  worse 
than  a  fool,  because  he  is  dangerous  to  himself  and  to 
others. 

The  individual  man  cannot  take  care  of  himself. 

The  composite  man  is  a  success. 

No  opinion  safe  to  follow  is  entirely  without  intelli- 
gent backing. 

No  isolated  idea  is  worth  anything  anywhere,  unless 
that  idea,  when  expressed,  receives  some  intelligent 
indorsement. 

Advice-giving  and  advice-taking  are  two  of  the 
strongest  props  of  civilization,  and  are  fundamental 
articles  in  the  law  of  progress. 


Promptness 

**  Tardiness  and  failure  are  cousins " 

ii  /^"^N  time  "  is  the  cry  of  progress.     **  Too  late" 

I       1  is  the  groan  of  failure.     The  race  of  success 

V^^    runs  on  time.     The  boy  who  succeeds  goes 

on  time  and  arrives  on  time.     The  man  of 

success  is  on  time. 

In  every  sphere  of  life  promptness  is  essential,  and 
in  business  it  is  demanded. 

What  you  want  when  you  want  it  is  worth  more  to 
you  than  what  you  wanted  after  you  wanted  it. 

The  artist  may  be  behind  hand,  and  the  lawyer  may 
be  a  little  late,  and  the  world  excuse  them ;  but  the 
world  of  business,  which  most  of  our  boys  must  enter, 
will  not  tolerate  the  behind-hand  boy  or  the  behind-hand 
man  in  the  shop  or  in  the  office. 

Nobody  likes  to  wait.  Nobody  can  afford  to  wait 
for  what  is  due. 

Promptness  costs  no  more  than  behind-time-ness. 
When  it  is  once  established  it  is  easy  to  maintain. 

**On  time  "does  not  require  capital,  and  everybody 
can  have  it. 

Occasional  accidents  will  happen,  but  promptness  can 
be  almost  universal,  subject  only  to  disaster  or  to  the 
unexpected. 

The  on-time  boy  is  likely  to  be  the  on-time  man, 
and  the  on-time  man  doesn't  keep  success  in  waiting. 


««4 


Undesirable  Habits 

**  Don't  pay  more  than  the  thing  is  worth  '* 

A  BAD  habit,  whitewashed  or  unwhitewashed,  is 
a  black  blot  on  anybody's  character,  but  there 
are  some  bad  habits  hardly  bad  enough  to  mate- 
rially count  in  a  world  of  universal  imperfection. 

One  should  separate  himself  from  every  bad  habit, 
provided  the  cost  of  getting  rid  of  it  is  not  greater  than 
is  involved  in  the  continuance  of  the  habit. 

The  boy  who  talks  too  much,  like  the  man  who  talks 
too  much,  may  be  a  success  or  a  failure.  His  over-talk- 
ing propensity  is  only  incidental  in  either  case.  Talk- 
incr  too  much  is  a  fault,  but  not  one  of  fatal  conse- 
quence.  Many  a  man  or  boy  of  great  mental  capacity 
talks  beyond  the  sensible  point ;  many  an  over-talker  is 
a  failure ;  many  a  fool  can't  talk,  and  many  a  fool  can. 

Everybody  has  from  one  to  many  faults ;  no  one  is 
without  them.  If  they  are  of  consuming  importance, 
they  ruin  the  possessor  of  them.  If  they  are  inciden- 
tal, and  are  overshadowed  by  virtues,  they  may  not  do 
much  injury. 

Sometimes  the  crushing  out  of  a  minor  fault,  like 
over-talking,  absorbs  more  energy  than  its  conquering 
is  worth.  For  instance,  one  may  actually  stunt  much 
of  his  ability  by  using  too  much  of  his  reserve  power  in 
attempting  to  overcome  a  little  fault. 

The  boy,  as  well  as  the  man,  should  be  reckoned  by 
the  excess  of  good  over  the  bad  in  him.  The  boy  who 
is  a  fine  scholar  in  half  of  his  studies,  a  fair  scholar  in 
most  of  the  balance,  and  a  poor  scholar  in  one  or  more, 
may  be  better  equipped  for  success  than  is  the  boy  who 
is  a  fair  scholar  in  all  of  his  studies.  The  boy  of  abil- 
ity who  has  some  weaknesses,  provided  they  are  not  of 
a  criminal  or  vicious  character  and  likely  to  materially 

"5 


ii6  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

injure  him  physically  or  mentally,  may  be  a  better  boy 
and  better  fitted  for  usefulness,  than  is  the  boy  who  is 
fair  in  everything,  but  not  proficient  in  anything. 

Bad  habits,  even  the  smaller  ones,  do  not  help ;  they 
injure  and  hinder,  and  they  should  never  be  allowed  to 
remain  if  they  can  profitably  be  gotten  rid  of.  No 
weakness  or  objectionable  tendency  in  any  direction 
should  be  encouraged,  and  it  should  be  destroyed  when- 
ever the  expense  of  its  destruction  will  not  cost  more 
than  the  harm  of  its  existence. 

The  boy,  as  well  as  the  man,  should  make  the  most 
of  himself,  doing  the  most  good  for  every  one,  including 
himself.  He  should  use  himself  to  the  best  advantage. 
He  cannot  be  perfect;  he  must  have  '*  outs,"  but  a  few 
**  outs"  with  many  '<  goods"  may  be  far  more  profitable 
than  no  "  outs  "  and  many  *'  fairs." 

A  boy  may  be  very  deficient  in  penmanship.  Bad 
penmanship  is  an  "out."  He  never  can  become  ex- 
pert with  pen,  pencil,  or  brush,  though  he  may  learn 
to  be  a  fair  penman  and  artist.  If  penmanship  is  not  to 
be  a  part  of  his  business,  and  if  there  is  no  reason  why 
he  should  work  with  pencil  or  brush,  it  is  sheer  foolish- 
ness, and  the  poorest  kind  of  economy,  to  attempt  to 
make  him  a  good  penman  or  an  artist.  He  had  better 
remain  a  poor  or  a  fair  penman  and  no  artist  at  all,  than 
to  use  up  his  valuable  time  in  trying  to  become  some- 
thing outside  of  his  natural  capacity.  The  working  or 
developing  of  one's  ability  always  pays.  The  working 
or  over-working  of  one's  inability,  except  in  case  of 
emergency,  never  pays. 

What  one  is  in  his  aggregate  or  his  totality,  not  what 
he  is  in  each  particular  thing  specifically,  counts. 

If  the  great  <*  goods  "  are  far  more  numerous  than  the 
the  small  "  bads,"  the  boy  is  a  success.  The  **  goods  " 
should  be  made  greater  and  the  *'  bads"  made  less ;  but 
it  is  poor  economy  to  exhaust  one's  energy  overcoming 
immaterial  *'bads,"  at  the  expense  of  developing  one's 
material  *'  goods." 


Courage 

'*  Be  strenuous  in  peaceful  courage  " 

THE  weak-hearted  boy,   lacking  every  kind  and 
grade   of   courage,   afraid    of   himself    and    of 
everything  else,  never  can  make   any   sort   of 
success.     The  best  he  can  do  is  to  become  a 
book- worm,  an  effeminate  something,  or  an  absorber  of 
anything  likely  to  be  of  some  use,  though  he  can  never 
make  full  use  of  it. 

Real  courage  is  one  of  the  trunk-branches  of  success. 
Brute  courage  is  recklessness,  and  has  no  place  in  true 
civilization.  Civilized  courage  is  a  determination  to  do 
what  is  right  at  any  equable  cost ;  and,  as  what  costs 
more  than  it  is  worth  is  not  right,  the  true  definition  of 
real  courage  is  the  will  and  effort  to  do  right  against 
any  and  all  obstacle. 

The  prize-fighter  is  not  courageous,  except  in  a  brutal 
sense.  Morally,  he  is  a  coward,  because  he  is  not  brave 
enough  to  be  decent. 

It  takes  more  real  courage  not  to  fight,  than  to  fight, 
when  there  is  a  chance  for  fighting,  unless  fighting  is 
necessary  for  the  doing  or  the  preserving  of  something 
worth  while. 

Struggling  against  certain  failure  or  fighting  against 
sure  death  is  pure  and  simple  recklessness,  and  is  not  a 
part  of  true  courageousness. 

The  boy  always  looking  for  a  scrap,  and  ready  to 
fight  on  any  provocation,  is  a  bully,  and  lacks  both 
physical  and  moral  courage.  Safe  in  his  animal 
prowess,  he  brutally  enjoys  beating  the  weak  and 
helpless.  Before  his  equals  or  superiors  in  strength 
he  never  knowingly  raises  a  hand. 

The  courage  of  one's  convictions  is  essential  to 
success. 

117 


Ii8        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

One  who  is  not  reasonably  sure  of  himself,  who  lacks 
confidence  in  himself,  who  is  afraid  to  make  a  reason- 
able move,  never  gets  beyond  a  salary  or  an  insignif- 
icant business. 

The  plunger  is  a  fool,  and  never  deserves  prosperity. 

The  reckless  speculator  is  simply  a  gambler  and  a 
coward,  and  lacks  the  courage  necessary  to  legitimately 
conquer  opposition. 

Sensible  fear  and  unwillingness  to  take  unfair  chances 
are  as  essential  as  courage  for  the  making  of  success. 

Courage  and  caution,  rightly  mixed,  will  win. 

Courage  without  caution  is  recklessness. 

Caution  without  courage  is  weakness. 

The  courageous  boy  is  an  apostle  of  peace  —  not 
peace  at  any  price,  but  peace  at  the  right  price.  He 
prefers  peace  to  strife,  and  never  fights  unless  fighting 
be  necessary  and  profitable. 

Real  courage  —  profitable,  successful  courage  —  is 
peaceful  and  quiet ;  but  it  is  always  there,  ready  to  be 
called  should  occasion  require,  and  when  it  is  intelli- 
gently aroused  it  is  one  of  the  most  effective  and  neces- 
sary weapons  in  the  struggle  for  success. 

Be  courageous,  but  don^t  be  antagonistical. 

The  boy  with  a  constant  chip  on  his  shoulder  is  likely 
a  braggart  and  afraid  of  anything  bigger  than  himself. 

Dare-to-do-right  courage  wins. 


Harmony 

**  Harmony  is  the  oil  of  effort  '* 

IN  the  harmony  of  method  is  the  success  of  busi- 
ness. In  the  harmony  of  anything  is  the  rounding- 
out  of  it.  If  the  rudder  and  the  sails  do  not  work 
together,  the  ship  will  not  sail.  If  there  be  not 
enough  fire  under  the  water,  nor  enough  water  over  the 
fire,  the  engine  will  not  run. 

Much  of  success  is  in  harmonious  condition.  Strength 
without  harmony  absorbs  itself.  Strength  with  harmony 
magnifies  itself. 

The  boy  of  fair  ability,  well  suited  to  his  place,  may 
become  a  greater  success  than  the  boy  of  more  capacity 
in  unfit  surroundings. 

Most  of  the  waste  of  business,  and  of  life  itself,  is 
due  to  friction  and  inharmonious  connection. 

The  right  boy  in  the  right  place  will  succeed  to  the 
fulness  of  his  possibility. 

The  wrong  boy  in  the  wrong  place  is  not  likely  to 
more  than  approach  the  entrance  to  full  success. 

Boys  incapable  of  sustaining  harmonious  surround- 
ings are  failures  to  begin  with,  and  there  are  too  many 
of  them.  Inharmonious  boys  are  dissatisfied  with 
everything,  and  their  dissatisfaction  blankets  the  effi- 
ciency of  their  effort.  They  harmonize  with  nothing. 
They,  and  not  outside  conditions,  are  to  blame. 

Dissatisfaction  for  reason  is  justifiable. 

Dissatisfaction  is  one  of  the  nerves  which  tell  the  brain 
the  truth.  But  a  good  proportion  of  so-called  dissatisfac- 
tion is  born  of  laziness,  indifference,  lack  of  harmony, 
or  of  something  worse. 

The  lazy  boy  is  out  of  harmony  with  everything. 
He  is  devoid  of  ambition,  without  willingness  to  make 
effort,  and  is  not  in  profitable  touch  with  anything. 


I20        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Frequently  harmony  is  waiting  at  our  gates,  ready  to 
come  in  and  help  us  at  the  slightest  invitation. 

Inattention  to  little  things,  thoughtlessness,  and  care- 
lessness, breed  discord. 

Justifiable  dissatisfaction  can  always  give  reason  for 
its  existence. 

Unreasonable  dissatisfaction  and  discord  are  respon- 
sible for  a  large  proportion  of  failures. 

Harmony  is  a  business  and  an  every-day-life  necessity. 

If  the  boy  does  not  harmonize  with  his  work  —  and 
there  seems  to  be  no  good  reason  why  he  should  not  do 
so  —  no  change  should  be  made  until  there  is  reason- 
able certainty  that  the  fault  is  not  in  the  boy,  but  in 
conditions  over  which  he  has  no  control. 

As  a  rule,  the  boy  can  be  more  easily  harmonized 
with  his  conditions  than  conditions  can  be  harmonized 
with  him. 

Harmony  must  be  obtained.  Without  it,  the  flush  of 
success  is  impossible,  and  more  than  ordinary  accom- 
plishment improbable. 

Harmony  adds  pleasure  to  work ;  smooths  the  sharp 
and  rough  edges  of  difficult  labor ;  and  more,  it  gives  a 
profitable  finish  to  result. 


Politeness 

**  There's  something  in  polish  *' 

BUSINESS  politeness  is  a  business  commodity. 
Goods  with  courtesy  are  worth  more  than  goods 
without  courtesy,  in  any  market.  A  poor  thing 
well  served  may  look  as  well  as  a  good  thing 
poorly  served.  The  way  a  thing  is  said  is  often  as 
important  as  what  is  said. 

Flattery  is  dishonesty,  but  true  politeness  is  not  flattery. 
Few  succeed  in  any  calling  without  the  use  of  a  reason- 
able amount  of  politeness  and  courtesy,  and  the  right 
degree  of  these  possessions  will  do  much  towards  start- 
ing the  boy  and  keeping  him  in  the  road  to  success. 

Politeness  is  one  of  the  constituents  of  the  golden  rule 
of  business.  It  is  one's  rendering  to  others  what  he 
would  have  others  render  to  him. 

Go  with  me  into  any  commercial  establishment  or 
professional  sanctum ;  there  the  boys  who  have  the  best 
chance  for  advancement  are  those  who  are  uniformly 
polite  and  courteous ;  and  the  boys  who  are  dissatisfied, 
who  seem  to  beckon  failure,  are  discourteous  and  gruff 
in  their  conduct  toward  others. 

True,  a  very  few  great  savants  may  lack  the  discern- 
ment of  politeness.  They  live  in  the  hardened  shell  of 
science.  As  specialists  they  are  of  extraordinary  suc- 
cess ;  but  these  men  are  eccentric  exceptions ;  they  are 
not  in  business. 

Politeness,  beginning  in  the  boy  and  everlastingly 
continuing,  is  a  necessity,  and  one  of  the  main  branche. 
of  the  tree  of  business  accomplishment. 

Politeness  costs  nothing;  it  is  always  worth  some- 
thing. 


I3X 


The  Farm 

"  Where  Nature  works  for  man  " 

FROM  the  earth  all  things  spring,  and  unto  the 
earth  returns  all  materiality.  The  first  man  was 
a  farmer.  The  stock-board  may  close  its  doors, 
and  the  world  go  on.  The  railroads  may 
cease  running,  and  folks  will  live.  'Most  all  of  busi- 
ness may  go  out  of  business  and  all  of  profession  no 
longer  practice,  and  folks  will  continue  to  be  born  and 
to  propagate ;  but  when  there  is  no  longer  farming, 
there  will  no  longer  be  people,  for  the  world  will  have 
starved  to  death. 

The  farm  is  the  essential  factor  of  human  main- 
tenance ;  the  farmer  an  indispensable  necessity. 

The  barren  farm  does  not  pay,  because  of  its  barren- 
ness ;  but  the  fertile  farm  cannot  help  paying,  if  it  be 
properly  worked. 

One  reason  why  so  much  land  does  not  raise  a  profit- 
able harvest  is  because  it  is  not  well  cultivated.  Alto- 
gether too  many  farmers,  instead  of  working  their  farms, 
allow  the  farms  to  work  them.  The  situation  is  their 
master,  instead  of  their  being  master  of  the  situation. 

Farm-work  is  hard,  but  all  work  is  difficult.  Perhaps 
farming  is  more  laborious  than  many  other  callings. 
There  is  a  certain  amount  of  drudgery  to  every  kind  of 
labor,  but  the  excess  of  drudgery  is  generally  the  fault 
of  the  drudge. 

The  farmer  is  not,  and  should  not  be  considered,  a 
laborer  in  a  subordinate  or  wage  sense.  He  is,  if  he 
owns  the  farm,  virtually  in  business  for  himself,  pro- 
prietor of  his  land,  and  distributor  of  his  harvest.  He 
may  work  harder  than  does  the  business  man,  and  his 
hours  may  be  longer ;  but  he  has  less  worry,  less  in- 
tense anxiety,  and  less  acute  responsibility.      His  work 


The  Farm  123 

is  within  healthy  surroundings ;  he  is  not  housed,  both 
day  and  night,  as  is  the  city  worker.  He  is  near  to 
Nature,  enjoying  privileges  which  the  city  cannot  give, 
or  if  it  does  give,  refuses  to  distribute  except  at  an 
exorbitant  price. 

The  farmer  is,  or  should  be,  the  noblest  work  of  God. 
He  works  in  God's  fields,  under  God's  skies,  legitimately 
collecting  Nature's  harvest,  away  from  unnatural  crowd- 
ing, artificial  stimulant,  and  unavoidable  temptation. 

The  profession  or  business  of  farming  should  receive 
the  recognition  it  deserves.     There  is  no  nobler  calling. 

If  the  same  energy,  education,  and  training  were 
put  into  the  management  of  our  farms  as  are  given  to 
other  forms  of  livelihood-earning,  there  would  be  much 
less  drudgery,  with  many  times  easier  and  better  results. 

There  is  altogether  too  much  slovenliness  and  guess- 
work about  the  average  farm.  The  proper  mastery  of 
the  earth  requires  the  same  care  or  study  as  is  neces- 
sary for  success  in  any  other  business  or  profession. 

The  boy  who  does  not  like  farming,  who  has  ab- 
solutely no  love  for  planting  and  harvesting,  is  not 
likely  to  make  a  good  farmer ;  and  forcing  him  to 
remain  there  indefinitely  is  bad  judgment,  cruel,  and 
unprofitable.  The  boy  has  just  as  much  right  not  to 
like  farming  as  he  has  to  have  no  love  or  desire  for  any 
other  specific  calling. 

Many  boys  who  leave  the  farm  do  so  because  they 
look  upon  farming  as  inferior  labor,  and  imagine  that 
they  are  above  that  class  of  work.  If  they  respected 
farming  as  it  deserves  to  be  respected,  and  as  the  com- 
munity and  their  parents  should  respect  it,  many  of  them 
would  have  become  successful  farmers. 

The  drudging  farmer,  the  ne'er-do-well  digger  of  the 
soil,  with  weedy  garden  and  shabby  house,  cannot  ex- 
pect that  his  boy  will  respect  the  farm  or  love  farm- 
work.  Because  the  father  has  made  a  failure,  is  often 
to  the  boy  sufficient  reason  for  believing  that  farming  is 
unadapted  to  high  ambition  and  profitable  energy. 


124        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

The  dignity  of  the  farm  should  be  raised  to  the  plane 
it  richly  and  naturally  deserves. 

Farming  should  be  taught  the  same  as  is  any  other 
science,  art,  or  profession ;  and  there  should  be  a  dozen 
agricultural  schools  where  to-day  there  is  one. 

There  should  be  more  books  on  farming  —  the  truth 
about  farming  —  not  barren  pages  of  dried-up  statistics, 
but  leaves  of  life,  fresh  from  the  fertile  fields. 

Let  the  farmer's  boy  read  —  read  agricultural  papers 
—  more  than  one  —  all  the  good  farming  books ;  and 
study  them ;  that  he  may  not  only  see  his  farm  as  it  is, 
but  what  real  farming  is  and  can  be  made  to  be. 

The  farms  of  to-morrow  are  in  the  hands  of  the  boys 
of  to-day. 

The  average  farmer's  boy  stands  a  better  chance 
of  success  by  remaining  on  the  farm,  if  he  will  apply 
to  the  farm  interest  and  systematic  study,  than  he  does 
by  casting  his  lot  in  the  strange  streets  of  the  unfamiliar 
city.  Farming  may  not  give  him  so  much  ready  cash, 
but  it  is  likely,  if  he  goes  into  it  with  his  heart  and 
energy,  to  bring  him  more  satisfaction  and  comfort  than 
he  can  find  in  the  struggling  metropolis. 

The  farmer  boy  should  give  the  farm  the  preference ; 
should  be  favorably  disposed  towards  it;  and  should 
not  leave  it  unless,  after  investigation,  he  can  furnish 
substantial  proof  that  he  is  reasonably  certain  of  being 
better  off  in  some  other  calling  or  in  some  other  locality. 

The  world  needs  more  farmers  and  better  farmers. 
There  are  as  many,  if  not  more,  opportunities  for  intel- 
ligent farmers  than  there  are  for  the  inexperienced  in 
a  strange  city. 

Better  have  the  little,  which  the  farm  gives  —  the 
little  one  is  sure  of  —  than  the  much  which  the  great 
city  merely  loans  to  its  inhabitants,  reserving  the  priv- 
ilege of  calling  any  of  its  loans  to  the  wrecking  of  the 
loanee. 


Exercise 

**  Keep  in  circulation  ** 

LIFE  is  action.  Stagnation  is  disease  and  death. 
Health  without  exercise  is  impossible.  A  proper 
amount  of  physical  exercise  is  necessary  to  any 
continuation  of  healthfulness. 

The  human  body,  like  the  mechanical  engine,  will 
rust  out  faster  than  it  will  wear  out. 

Exercise  is  absolutely  essential  to  the  proper  health 
and  development  of  the  boy,  and  outdoor  activity  is  far 
preferable  to  indoor  exercise. 

Fortunately,  boys  are  not  averse  to  active  exercise 
and  are  willing  to  take  all  they  need.  It  is  not,  then, 
a  question  of  activity,  but  of  regulated  exercise. 

In  their  ignorance,  boys  over-exercise  or  under-exer- 
cise,  and  few  of  them  enjoy  the  right  amount  or  the 
right  kind  of  physical  exertion,  and  comparatively  few 
parents  have  intelligent  knowledge  upon  this  essential 
subject. 

Books  on  physical  culture  should  be  in  every  house- 
library  and  in  every  schoolroom;  should  be  the  text- 
books of  home  as  well  as  the  text-books  at  school. 

Parents  should  know  themselves  and  their  boys,  physi- 
cally. If  they  do  not,  they  are  criminally  ignorant  and 
responsible  for  much  human  weakness. 

Every  parent  should  be  familiar  with  human  physi- 
ology and  general  hygiene,  and  have  an  intelligent 
knowledge  of  physical  culture. 

There  are  many  good  books  upon  these  subjects,  and 
every  physician  welcomes  an  opportunity  to  impart  this 
information. 

Many  a  strong  boy  has  been  made  weak  by  over- 
exercise,  and  many  a  weak  boy  has  become  strong  by 
proper  exercise. 

"5 


126         The  Boy —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

The  kind  of  exercise  is  as  important  as  is  the  amount 
of  it. 

The  element  of  danger  should  be  entirely  eliminated. 

There  is  no  excuse  for  any  play  or  game  likely  to 
injure  its  players. 

The  dangerous  games,  exciting  and  interesting  as 
they  may  be,  are  relics  of  barbarism,  and  should  not  be 
tolerated  by  the  parents  and  the  teachers,  or  be  per- 
mitted by  the  government. 

Exertion  without  interest  is  never  enjoyable,  and  not 
always  profitable ;  but  with  the  present  forms  of  enter- 
taining exercise  and  pastimes,  there  is  no  excuse  for 
the  use  of  any  form  of  brutality. 

All  outdoors  is  one  great  exercise  ground.  Nature 
is  the  great  play-master. 

The  formation  of  physical  culture  clubs  is  a  step  in 
the  right  direction.    There  cannot  be  too  many  of  them. 

The  intelligent  study  of  exercise  is  as  essential  as 
knowledge  in  any  other  direction. 

The  exercise  of  the  body  is  not  independent  of  the 
exercise  of  the  mind,  and  interesting  exercise  is  the  only 
kind  of  diversion  worthy  of  encouragement. 

Let  there  be  sense  and  decency  in  every  form  of 
recreative  exercise. 

Promiscuous  exercise  is  dangerous. 

Good,  enjoyable,  proper  exercise  is  neither  dangerous 
nor  brutal,  nor  does  it  strain  the  body  or  degenerate  the 
mind. 


Great  Boys  and  Smart  Boys 

**  There's  nothing  '  great  *  about  smartness  " 

THERE'S  a  great  big  difference  between  great- 
ness and  smartness.  Greatness  is  permanent, 
but  smartness  is  of  transient  quality.  The  great 
accomplish  something ;  the  smart  appear  to 
sometimes,  but  seldom  create  more  than  a  disturbance. 

The  precocious  boy  seldom  amounts  to  anything. 
He  is  simply  smart,  has  the  flush  of  intelligent  persist- 
ency, but  is  unable  to  properly  harness  his  ability. 

Smartness  is  nothing  more  than  a  flash-in-the-pan.  It 
makes  a  big,  but  quickly  dying  blaze,  is  brilliant  for 
the  moment,  but  has  no  real  warmth  or  strength. 

The  smart  boy  is  not  only  precocious,  but  is  conceited, 
bold,  and  disagreeable. 

If  the  boy  shows  any  precocious  characteristics,  get 
them  out  of  him  at  any  cost.  Train  his  precociousness 
into  something  of  better  quality.  Help  him  to  turn  his 
smartness  into  staple  usefulness. 

If  taken  in  time,  the  precocious  boy  frequently  be- 
comes a  boy  of  strong  and  permanent  character ;  but  if 
his  precociousness  is  allowed  to  continue,  he  stands 
little  or  no  chance  of  ultimate  success. 

Boys,  don't  be  smart,  as  smartness  goes.  Be  some- 
thing worth  while ;  work  for  permanency ;  don't  be  of 
sufficient-unto-the-day  smartness  ;  be  great  in  ambition, 
strong  in  energy,  fervent  in  faithfulness. 


137 


Something  for  Nothing 


S 


"  Nature  Forbids  " 

"  O  OMETHING  for  nothing  "  never  was,  isn't,  and 
never  will  be  a  part  of  business  or  of  anything 
else  worth  having.  Really,  there  isn't  such  a 
thing  as  something  for  nothing.  Even  a  gift  to  a 
friend  is  not  something  for  nothing,  because  the  re- 
ceiver reciprocates,  or  should  reciprocate,  by  rendering 
appreciation,  or  the  present  represents  an  acknowledg- 
ment for  past  favors. 

Everything  travels  in  circles,  and  the  good  of  it,  like 
the  power  of  electricity,  is  in  the  mutuality  of  connec- 
tion, and  in  this  connection  that  which  is  given  becomes 
absorbed  or  paid  for 

This  is  a  compensatory  world,  although  apparently 
many  of  us  do  not  appear  to  receive  our  just  deserts, 
but  in  the  grand  wind-up  of  affairs,  this  world  being 
considered  but  a  link  in  the  chain  of  existence,  some- 
thing will  be  received  for  something  and  nothing  will 
get  nothing. 

No  firm  worth  working  for,  ever  intentionally  and 
continuously  pays  a  boy  more  than  a  boy  is  worth  to  it ; 
and  every  reputable  business  house  intends  to  give  its 
employees  what  they  are  worth  in  the  maintenance  and 
development  of  the  business. 

Many  a  boy  starting  in  life  surprisingly  discovers 
that  he  is  receiving  in  money  less  than  was  paid  or  is 
paid  to  another  for  apparently  similar  services,  and  he 
becomes  dissatisfied. 

The  boy  for  many  years  after  entering  business  is  a 
learner  as  well  as  a  worker,  and  his  employer  is  his 
teacher.  Although  he  may  seemingly  be  doing  as 
much  as  his  predecessor  did  he  cannot  be  rendering  so 
valuable  a  service. 


Something  for  Nothing  129 

Responsibility  requires  experience.  This  experience 
the  boy  has  not  had,  no  matter  how  bright  he  may  be ; 
and  until  he  gains  it,  he  cannot  render  the  service  of 
dependableness.  He  may  appear  to  do  as  much  work, 
but  until  he  has  been  trained,  he  must  be  watched  and 
directed,  and  this  watchfulness  and  direction  on  the  part 
of  his  employer  or  of  the  head  of  the  department  reduces 
the  actual  value  of  the  boy's  services. 

Responsibility  requires  experience,  and  the  ability  to 
assume  responsibility  is  worth  more  in  any  market  than 
mere  work  in  itself. 

The  chief  engineer  of  a  great  ocean  greyhound  does 
not  keep  watch,  really  has  no  specific  duties,  and  may 
seldom  visit  the  engine  room ;  yet  he  rightly  receives 
much  more  than  is  given  to  any  one  of  his  assistants 
who  really  do  all,  or  nearly  all,  of  the  active  work. 
The  chief  engineer  is  not  paid  for  what  he  does,  but 
for  what  he  can  do  —  for  his  capacity  to  assume 
responsibility. 

The  boy  must  add  to  his  early  salary  the  worth  of 
what  he  is  receiving  in  the  way  of  knowledge  and 
experience. 

A  boy  working  for  a  respectable  house  will  be  paid 
for  what  he  is  worth,  no  more  and  no  less,  and  when 
experience  gives  him  the  right  to  assume  responsibility, 
his  capacity  will  be  recognized  by  proper  promotion. 

Success  in  any  calling  depends  on  the  mutuality  of 
benefit  to  all  concerned.  The  boy  at  the  start  must  not 
consider  the  wages  he  receives  as  his  entire  remunera- 
tion. It  may  not  represent  a  quarter  of  what  is  being 
given  him.  He  is  learning,  and  so  long  as  he  is  as 
much  of  a  learner  as  a  worker,  what  he  learns  is  a  part 
of  his  pay. 


A  Symposium  of  Success 

"  Composite  Pictures  of  Truth  " 

THE  following  pages  are  devoted  to  a  recapitula- 
tion of  the  facts  and  opinions  given  by  the  319 
Men   of   Mark,  whose  answers  to  the  25  vital 
questions   upon    success-making   appear   in  the 
following  chapter,    entitled    **  The    Voice    of    Distin- 
guished Experience." 

This  summary  is  presented  in  easy  tabulated  form 
as  a  material  aid  in  the  study  of  the  many  thousands  of 
authoritative  answers. 

It  is  obvious  that  complete  accuracy  in  such  tabula- 
tion is  impossible,  except  where  the  answers  are  defi7 
nitely  **Yes"  or  "No;"  but  it  is  believed  that  the 
errors  of  judgment  are  slight  and  unimportant  and  do 
not  materially  affect  the  correctness  or  value  of  the 
conclusions. 

The  reader  is  earnestly  urged  to  read  and  study  each 
answer  by  itself,  irrespective  of  these  tables  of  collec- 
tive result,  which  are  given  for  what  they  may  be  worth 
as  accessories  to  the  answers  themselves. 

Question  I 

To   what   one   thing,    or  to  what  two  or  more 
things,  do  you  attribute  your  success  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .         .  283 

The  following  recapitulation  presents  in  concentrated 
brevity  the  gist  of  the  answers,  except  that  no  account 
is  taken  of  a  reason  given  by  less  than  five  of  the 
answerers.  The  answers  should  be  read  in  their  en- 
tirety, for  in  no  other  way  can  one,  even  with  the  help 
of  the  following  table,  appreciate  their  full  value  and 
meaning. 

X30 


A  Symposium  of  Success 


131 


Perseverance,  stick-to-itiveness,  constancy,  etc 

Application 

Hard  work,  capacity  for,  love  for,  etc.    . 
Industry  ...... 

Honesty  ...... 

Love  for  chosen  work,  adaptability  for,  etc. 
Faithfulness  ..... 

Good  health  ..... 

Good  training         ..... 

Concentration         ..... 

Earnest  desire  to  succeed,  ambition,  and  other 

fixed  purpose  not  specified  here 
Prompt  use  of  opportunities    . 
Education  and  thoroughness  of  preparation 
Devotion  to  duty    . 
Good  habits 
Good  inheritance    . 
Dependence  upon  one's  self 
Diligence 

Helpful  environment  and  helpfulness  of  friends 
Making  use  of  a  recognized  talent  or  ability 
Economy 

Favor  of  Providence 
High  ideals    . 
Determination 
Energy 
Common  sense 
Influence  of  a  good  wife 
Association  with  superiors 
Favorable  circumstances 


<' Perseverance,"  *' capacity  for  work,"  ''love  for 
work,"  ''application,"  "hard  work,"  "  stick- to-i- 
tive-ness,"  "constancy,"  "industry,"  "honesty," 
"  adaptability,"  "  good  health,"  "  good  training,"  "  con- 
centration," and  "faithfulness,"  "earnest  desire  to 
succeed,"  "  ambition,"  and  other  fixed  purpose,  are 
altogether   given    359  times,   and  many   of    the   other 


132        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

reasons  given  are  analogous  to  these.  It  would  appear 
that  they  are  essential  to  success ;  and  that  certainly  all 
the  other  reasons  given  are  either  necessary  or  decidedly 
beneficial.  Because  only  25  specify  "honesty"  as  a 
reason  for  their  success  cannot  in  any  way  be  construed 
as  against  honesty  in  business,  for  honesty  is  understood 
or  expressed  in  nearly  all  of  the  reasons  presented. 
For  instance,  one  cannot  be  faithful  without  being  hon- 
est, nor  can  he  be  devoted  to  duty ;  and  honesty  is  an 
element  of  perseverance  and  stick-to-a-tive-ness.  Only 
three  mention  good  luck  as  contributing  to  their  success. 

Question   II 

In  choosing  a  trade,  business,  or  profession, 
would  you  advise  the  boy  to  enter  the  one  for 
which  he  has  a  decided  preference  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .  .  312 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  162 

**  Yes,"  with  emphasis  .....  16 
Equivalent    of    *' Yes,"     **  By     all    means," 

*' Usually,"  etc 37 

215 

*'  Yes,"  with  qualifications,  conditions,  or  ex- 
planations       ......  74 

289 
Negatively 
Inclined  to  "  No,"  but  not  positive  .         .  9 

Non-committal,  neither  ''  Yes  "  nor  '<  No  "      .  14 

Deducting  the  <*  non-committals,"  the  opinions 
stand :  — 

In   favor   of   a  decided  preference  for 

one's  calling     .....  289 

Actually  opposed  ....         none 

Partially  opposed  ...  9 


A  Symposium  of  Success  133 

It  may,  then,  be  recorded  as  a  **  law  of  success" 
that  a  decided  preference  is  advisable  in  choosing 
a  trade,  business,  or  profession. 

Question   III 

In  your  opinion,  is  a  pronounced  preference  for 
any  calling  necessary  to  full  success  in  it  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question  .  814 

Affirmatively 
<*  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  66 

Affirmatively  other  than  saying  **  Yes,"  but 
meaning    **  Yes,"    as    '*  Decidedly    so," 

*«  Absolutely  so,"  etc 31 

**  Yes,"  with  explanations  and  modifications    .  28 

Affirmatively  inclined,  but  not  a  decided  "  Yes  "  16 

131 

Negatively 

**  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  86 

Negatively  other  than  actually  saying  *<No," 

but  meaning '*  No"  ....  88 

Negatively,  **  No,"  with  explanation  or  modifi- 
cation and  *'Not  necessarily,  but  helps," 
'« Not  always,"  etc.  ....  14 

Negatively  inclined,  but  not  a  decided  "  No  "  .  42 

180 


Non-committal        ......  3 

Deducting  the  '*  non-committals,"  the  opinions 
stand :  — 

Belief  that  a  pronounced  preference  is 
necessary   for    full    success    in   any 

calling     ......  131 

Actually  opposed          ....  124 

Partially  opposed          ....  66 

Actually  and  partially  opposed     .         .  180 


J 


134         '^^^  -^^y  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

With  131  considering  a  pronounced  preference  for 
any  calling  necessary  for  full  success  in  it,  and  180 
not  so  inclined,  a  decided  preference  for  one's  calling 
evidently  cannot  be  accepted  as  ''  necessary,"  however 
**  advisable"  and  ''beneficial"  it  may  be.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  this  result  is  in  no  wise  inconsistent  with 
that  obtained  in  Question  II ;  one  pertains  to  ' '  advisa- 
bility," the  other  to  **  necessity." 

Question   IV 

Do  you  consider  it  wise  for  the  parent  to  force 
the  boy  into  any  calling  against  the  boy's  will, 
provided  the  boy  has  a  definite  preference  and  a 
probable  adaptability  for  some  other  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question    .  .  311 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes " none 

Admitting  possibility  of  advisability         .          .  7 

Non-committal        ......  7 

Negatively 
**  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment           .  202 
*' No,"  emphatically,  as  ''Under  no  circum- 
stances"            24 

Equivalent  to  "  No  " 39 

"  No,"  with  explanation  or  qualification           .  27 

Advising  persuasion        .....  5 

297 


Deducting  the  "  non-committals,"  the  opinions 
stand :  — 

In  favor  of  the  parent  forcing  the  boy 
into  any  calling  against  the  boy's 
will,  provided  the  boy  has  a  definite 
preference  and  a  probable  adapta- 
bility for  some  other  .         .         .         none 


A  Symposium  of  Success  135 

Admitting  possibility  of  advisability       .  7 

Opposed 297 

It  may  be  *'  recorded  as  a  law"  that  under  no  cir- 
cumstances is  it  wise  for  the  parent  to  force  the  boy  into 
any  calling  against  the  boy's  will,  provided  the  boy  has 
a  definite  preference  and  a  probable  adaptability  for 
some  other. 

Question  V 

Would  you  advise  the  country  boy  to  go  to  a 
great  city,  if  his  home  is  in  a  sparsely  settled  dis- 
trict where  there  is  little  or  no  opportunity  for 
business  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .         .  264 

Affirmatively 
*' Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  66 

Equivalent  of  **  Yes" 10 

Inclined  to  **  Yes  :  "  <<  Yes,  unless  he  can  make 
himself  valuable  at  home,"  **If  he  has 
right  stuff,"  '*  Yes,  for  boy  of  remarkable 
ability,"  ''  If  he  doesn't  like  farming," 
'*If  he  wants  to  go,"  *'If  he  has  ambi- 
tion and  capacity,"  **  If  capacity  for  busi- 
ness," **The  right  kind  of  boy's  only 
chance,"  **  If  he  has  brains  and  industry," 
"Generally,  yes,"  **For  great  success, 
yes,"  **If  he  can  work  and  wait,  yes," 
«*  Not  until  educated,"  etc.        ,         .         .  63 


139 


Negatively  or  Conditionally 
*<  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment 
Inclined  to  **No:"     *'Not    unless    specially 
qualified,"  *<  Average  country   boy,  no," 
'*  Usually,  no,"  **  Only  for  money-mak- 
ing, better  things  than  business,"  '*Only 


136        The  Boy —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

if  he  has  an  opening  or  influence,"  *<  Only 
if  character  is  founded,"  ''Only  if  fitted 
for  larger  field,"  **  Only  if  he  has  support 
while  getting  start,"  "Sometimes,  not 
usually,"  **If  he  desires  greater  success 
than  home  affords,  all  boys  are  not  fitted," 

etc 67 

<*  Go  to  small  city  first"  ....  16 

* '  Go  to  active  small  town  first "...  11 

*'  Go  to  best  place  for  development,"  "  There's 
more  in  the  man  than  in  locality,"  *'  Per- 
haps, but  it  is  wise  to  keep  out  of  great 
city,"  ''Many  boys  would  have  done 
better  at  home,"  "Yes,  but  not  necessarily 
great  city,"  "  If  city  is  crowded  city  boy 
should  go  to  country,"  "Don't  change 
until  ground  is  understood,"  etc.       .         .  13 

112 


Non-committal        ......  13 

Deducting  "  non-committals,"  the  opinions  stand  :  — 
Unqualifiedly  in  favor  of  the  country  boy 
going  to  a  great  city,  if  his  home  is  in 
a  sparsely  settled  district  where  there  is 
little  or  no  opportunity  for  business        .  76 

In  favor  under  conditions         ...  63 

139 


Unqualifiedly  opposed    .....  5 

Qualifiedly  opposed 107 

Five  out  of  a  total  of  264  say  "  No"  without  quali- 
fication or  comment ;  76  are  unqualifiedly  in  favor  of  a 
great  city;  63  recommend  his  leaving  home,  "if  he 
is  bright,  smart,  of  remarkable  ability,  ambitious,  wants 
to  go,  has  brains  and  industry,  doesn't  like  the  farm," 
etc. ;  67  are  not  generally  in  favor  of  the  great  city  and 
advise  him  to  go  there  only  under  expressed  conditions ;  I 


A  Symposium  of  Success  137 

16  suggest  the  small  city  first;  11  the  active  small  town 
first ;  13  are  non-committal ;  13  advise  him  to  **  go  where 
there  is  opportunity  for  development,"  etc.,  but  not 
necessarily  a  great  city. 

It  would  appear  that  the  consensus  of  opinion  is  sub- 
stantially in  favor  of  the  boy's  leaving  home,  if  he  is 
in  a  sparsely  settled  district  where  there  is  practically 
no  opportunity ;  but  this  decision  need  not  be  taken  to 
mean  that  the  boy  should  leave  home,  or  go  to  a  large 
city,  without  thoroughly  sifting  home  opportunities  and 
becoming  assured  that  there  is  little  or  nothing  for  him 
there.  Neither  must  this  result  be  considered  as  antago- 
nistical  to  farming,  provided  the  boy  does  not  have  a 
positive  dislike  and  incapacity  for  it.  Except  in  the 
western  part  of  the  West,  there  are  few  sparsely  settled 
districts  far  removed  from  country  centers  and  small 
cities,  and  these  local  centers  of  business  are  seldom  as 
over-crowded  as  is  the  metropolis,  and  almost  always 
present  better  opportunities,  both  at  the  start  and  for 
permanency,  than  are  obtainable  in  great  cities.  The 
leap  from  the  sparsely  settled  district  into  the  turmoil  of 
the  crowded  metropolis  is  a  complete  change,  and  many 
a  boy  making  it  is  ruined  physically  or  morally,  or  both, 
before  he  has  become  acclimatized. 

There  can  be  no  question  but  that  the  boy  in  the 
sparsely  settled  district,  where  there  is  little  opportunity 
for  business,  and  who  has  good  reason  for  not  remain- 
ing on  the  farm,  should  leave  his  home  and  begin  his 
livelihood-making  in  some  other  locality,  but  the  great 
city  need  not  be  his  goal.     See  answers  to  Question  VI. 

Question  VI 

Would  you  advise  the  country  boy  to  go  to  a 
great  city,  if  his  home  is  in  a  progressive  town  or 
small  city  where  there  are  good  or  fair  business 
opportunities  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question  .         .  286 


138         The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  4 

Equivalent  of  **  Yes" 2 

**  Yes,  if  he  wants  to,"  **If  he  has  determina- 


14 

Negatively 

<*  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  119 

Equivalent  of  ''No" 20 

Inclined  to  "No:"  "Only  when  he  can  see 
his  way  clearly  to  betterment,"  "  Not  until 
he  has  outgrown  his  town,"  "  Not  if  good 
opportunity  at  home,"  "Would  always 
discourage  it,"  "  Usually  no,"  "  Not  unless 
specially  fitted,"  "  Begin  at  home,"  "Only 
in  exceptional  cases,"  "  Not  as  boy,"  "  He 
will  be  happier  at  home,"  "  Only  if  of 
unusual  ability,"  etc.        ....  105 

^144 
Indefinitely 

**  Depends  on  chances,"  "  Be  where  duty  calls," 
"Think  twice,"  "Chances  equally  good 
where  there  are  openings,"  "  First  learn 
farming,"  "Follow  law  of  his  natural 
gravitation,"  etc.      .  .  .  .  .  28 

When  286  representatives  of  solid  success  and  practi- 
cal experience  come  together  to  vote  upon  the  question 
as  to  whether  or  not  it  is  advisable  for  the  country  boy 
to  go  to  the  great  city,  if  his  home  is  in  a  progressive 
town  or  a  small  city  where  there  are  good  or  fair 
opportunities ;  and  only  4  of  that  number  advise  him  to 
leave  his  progressive  home-town  for  the  great  city; 
only  8,  under  qualification,  recommend  such  a  move; 
139,  without  qualification  or  comment,  advise  him  to 
stay  where  he  is ;  105   are  like   minded ;  and  28  are 


A  Symposium  of  Success  139 

either  non-committal  or  indefinite ;  it  would  seem  that 
another  ''  law  of  action"  had  been  established,  and  that 
the  boy  in  the  progressive  town  or  small  city,  where 
there  are  good  or  fair  opportunities,  had  better  stay 
where  he  is  than  to  take  chances  in  a  great  city,  unless 
there  be  unmistakable  reasons  for  the  change. 

Question  VII 

If  the  farmer's  boy  does  not  like  farming,  should 
he,  in  your  opinion,  be  kept  on  the  farm  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .         .  290 

Affirmatively 
**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  3 

Inclined  to  *'Yes:"  *'The  best  career  for 
majority,"  '*  Perhaps  boy  needs  farm  dis- 
cipline," **Farm  is  good  place  for  boy," 
**  Early  dislikes  apt  to  be  fanciful," 
** Ordinarily,  yes,"  "Farming  should  be 
made  attractive  by  proper  instruction,"  etc.  19 

22 

Negatively 

*'  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  147 

Equivalent  to  **  No" 11 

Inclined  to  '*  No  :  "  **  Where  dislike  is  genuine, 
no,"  ''  Not  if  he  dislikes  it  after  agricultural 
college  or  scientific  training,"  **  Not  if  he 
knows  what  he  wants  to  do,"  *'  Not  by 
force,"  *' Generally,  no,"  '*No,  if  duty 
doesn't  hold  him  there,"  ''Not  if  he  has 
aptitude  for  other  work,"  *'  If  lazy  the 
farm  is  no  place  for  him,"  ''Not  if  he 
has  ability,  ambition,  industry,  and  capac- 
ity," "Until  character  is  formed,"  "Not 
unless  fair  promise  for  success  elsewhere," 
"Yes,  until  sure  of  his  aversion,"  "Until 
other  good  opportunity  offers,"  etc.  .  89 

~M7 


140        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Indefinitely 
"  Depends  on  chances,  and  ability,"  *«  Let 
them  try  to  make  him  like  it,"  **  Dislike  is 
not  a  good  reason  for  change,"  *'  Let  him 
choose  his  life  and  take  the  responsibility," 
etc 17 

Non-committal       ......  4 

Deducting  the  *  *  non-committals  and  indefi- 
nites," the  opinions  stand  :  — 

Not  in  favor  of  keeping  the  boy  on  the 

farm  if  he  does  not  like  farming      .  158 

Of    the    same     mind,    but  with    some 

qualifications    .....  89 

In   favor   of   keeping  the    boy  on  the 

farm  if  he  does  not  like  farming       .  3 

Inclined  to  keep  him  on  the  farm  if  he 

does  not  like  farming        ...  19 

The  almost  unanimous  opinion  is  decidedly  in  favor 
of  not  keeping  the  boy  on  the  farm  if  he  does  not  like 
farming ;  only  three  out  of  a  total  of  290  unqualifiedly 
approving  of  the  boy  being  kept  on  the  farm  if  he  does 
not  like  farming.  It  would  seem,  then,  that  no 
parent,  guardian,  or  anybody  else  should  keep  any  boy 
on  the  farm  who  does  not  like  farming. 

Question  VIII 

Do   you   consider  strict  honesty  necessary    to 
business  success  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .         .  312 

Affirmatively 
**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  116 

'*  Certainly,"  ''I  do,"  ''Absolutely,"  *'Most 
assuredly,"  and  other  answers  definitely 
meaning  *«  Yes"      .....  99 


A  Symposium  of  Success  141 

"Yes,  for  the  best  success,"  **True  success," 

**  Real  success,"  "  With  good  citizenship," 

<*  Accompanied  by  tact,"  "  Money  doesn't 

mean  success,"  etc.  ....  26 

**  Yes,  for  permanent  success"        ...  18 

**Not  always  for  money-getting,  but  best  in 

every  sense"  .         .         .         .         .  12 

TVT       ..     1  ~270 

Negatively 

<*  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  7 

**  Riches  can  be  got  without  it;  but  necessary 

to  true  success  ".....  3 

<*  Not  for  money-getting "       ....  4 

**  Strict  honesty  is  not  necessary  to  business 
success ;  but  business  success  is  not  neces- 
sary; honesty  is,"  **No,  but  honesty  is 
the  best  policy,"  *'  No,  unless  an  em- 
ployee," *'No,  but  necessary  to  self- 
respect,"  <'  I  do  not  think  it  is,"  **  No,  but 
the  dishonest  man  is  not  respected,"  **  No, 
but  honesty  should  be  the  rule,"  etc.         .  20 

34 

Indefinitely 
"  In  details,  yes  ;  not  always  in  great  matters," 
"  Not  always,"  "  It  ought  to  be,"  "  Yes  and 
no,"  **  Business  success  frequently  comes 
from  dishonesty,"  '*  Yes,  honesty  accord- 
ing to  the  business  standard  "...  8 

Deducting  the  **  indefinites,"  the  opinions 
stand :  — 

Considering  strict  honesty  necessary  to 

business  success        .         .         .         .  214 

So  considering,  but  with  comments  and 

qualifications    .....  56 

270 


142         The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Not   considering   strict   honesty  necessary   to 

business  success       .....  7 

Similarly  minded,  but  with  qualifications  .  27 

34 

Since  by  so  large  a  majority  strict  honesty  is  con- 
sidered necessary  to  business  success,  it  may  be 
accepted  as  a  fact  that  dishonest  business  methods 
are  opposed,  if  not  fatal,  to  business  success.  The 
opinion  of  the  fair-sized  minority,  who  do  not  deem 
strict  honesty  necessary  to  business  success,  is,  how- 
ever, worthy  of  the  deepest  thought  and  considera- 
tion. But  it  must  be  noted  that  none  of  these  dissent 
from  the  opinion  that  strict  honesty  is  necessary  to 
success.  They  seem  to  feel  that  strict  honesty  may 
not  be  essential  to  business  success  —  that  is,  money- 
making  alone ;  but  those  who  so  express  themselves  are 
careful  to  qualify  their  statements  by  the  assertion  that 
honesty  is  necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  anything 
worth  doing,  and  that  the  success  due  to,  or  accom- 
panied by,  dishonesty  is  not  true  or  permanent  success 
or  the  kind  of  success  worth  striving  for. 

Question   IX 

Do  you    consider  persistent  application   neces- 
sary to  success  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question  .         «  313 

Affirmatively 
'*  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  181 

Equivalent  of  *'Yes:"  '*  A  most  necessary 
requisite,"  **  As  a  rule,"  *<  Intelligent 
persistence,"  *<In  99  out  of  100,"  *' For 
great  success,"  etc.  .         .         .         •  125 

306 

Negatively 
«'  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  1 


A  Symposium  of  Success  143 

Non-Committally  or  Conditionally 
•*  Success   may   come   with   the   turn   of  the 

wheel,"  etc 6 

Deducting  the  **  non-committally  or  condi- 
tionally," the  opinions  stand  :  — 

That  persistent  application  is  necessary 
to  business  success,  **  Yes,"  without 
qualification  or  comment,  '*  Equiv- 
alent to  Yes,"  etc 306 

Opposed      ......  1 

Non-committally  or  conditionally  .  6 

When  306  out  of  a  total  of  313  consider  persistent 
application  necessary  to  success,  and  only  one  positively 
dissents  from  that  opinion,  and  only  six  cast  a  negative- 
conditional  vote,  **  persistent  application  a  necessity  to 
success"  may  be  accepted  as  a  **l^w  of  success- 
making." 

Question  X 

Do  you  think  that  one  must  love  his  work  to  be 
successful  at  it? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .         .  314 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  126 

Equivalent  of  *' Yes" 18 

**  In  the  highest  sense  (for  best  success)          .  26 

**  99  cases  in  100,"  **  Yes,  as  a  rule  "      .         .  19 

**  Must  love  work,  or  learn  to  love  it  "     .          .  11 

* '  Yes,  or  recognize  its  usefulness,"  "  Desirable  "  4 

TST         4.'      1  "204 

Negatively 
**  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  20 

**No,  not  if  career  is  a  useful  one  with  chance 
for  diligence,"  *'No,  he  need  only  be  apt 
in  it,"  ''  Not  if  diHgent  and  versatile,"  etc.  4 

24 


144        '^^^  ^oy  —  ^ow  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Conditionally 
**  Not  necessarily"  .....  25 

**  No,  but  success  more  likely,  easier,  or  better  "  16 

<<  Not  always,"  "  No,  but  for  boy's  best  success 
he  must  do  work  that  he  loves,"  "  Important, 
but  not  essential,"  ''  He  can  do  best  what 
he  loves,"  *'Can  be  successful  without 
great  love  if  he  takes  interest,"  <*  He  is 
much  more  likely  to  succeed,"  '*  To  a  rea- 
sonable degree,"  *<  Enjoyment  of  it  helps 
success,"  "  Not  entirely,  if  faithful,"  etc.  45 

86 
The  consensus  of  opinion  stands  :  — 

Unqualifiedly  of  the  opinion  that  one  must 

love  his  .work  to  be  successful  at  it        .  126 

Of  substantially  the  same  opinion    .         .  18 

Affirmatively  inclined      ....  60 
**Not  necessarily,"  <*  But   success  more 

likely,  easier  or  better,"  etc.          .         .  41 

Conditionally           ,         .         .         .         .  45 

290 


Unqualifiedly  of  the  opinion  that  one  need  not 

love  his  work  to  be  successful  at  it   .         .  20 

Negatively  inclined         .....  4 

24 

With  204  of  a  positive  or  general  belief  that  one  must 
love  his  work  to  be  successful  at  it;  with  only  20 
unqualifiedly  contra-minded;  with  but  25  voting,  **Not 
necessarily ;  "  and  with  61  in  favor  under  specified 
qualification  or  with  explanation ;  it  would  appear  that 
one  must  love  his  work  to  be  successful  at  it,  or  at  any 
rate  should  love  his  work  to  be  successful  at  it,  and  that 
the  fulness  of  success  is  either  impossible  or  improbable 
without  love  for  one's  work. 


A  Symposium  of  Success  145 

Question  XI 

Which,  in  your  opinion,  contributes  the  more  to 
success,  ability  or  experience  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question             .  289 

Ability 

*<  Ability,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  105 

Equivalent  of '* Ability"         ....  29 

*  *  Ability,  experience  helps,"  *  *  Usually  ability  "  9 

**  Ability  can  soon  acquire  experience"  .         .  11 

<«  Both  important,  ability  first"         ...  9 

163 

Both  Ability  and  Experience 

Both,  without  qualification  or  comment    .         .  9 

Equivalent  of  *' Both" 60 

**  In  early  years  ability,  later  experience"       .  1 

-P,         .  60 

Experience 

**  Experience,"  without  qualification   or  com- 
ment         30 

Equivalent  of  **  Experience  "...  4 

*'  Both  important,  experience  first,"  etc.           .  16 

**  Experience  develops  ability "        ...  8 

67 


Non-committal  or  indefinite     ....  9 

Deducting    the     *'  non-committals,"    **  indefi- 
nites," and  **  boths,"  the  opinions  stand  :  — 

Unqualifiedly  in  favor  of  "  Ability  "      .  105 

Substantially  of  same  mind            .         .  29 

In  favor  of  ability        ....  29 

~163 


Unqualifiedly  in  favor  of  <*  Experience  "          .  30 

Of  similar  mind 27 

~~67 


146  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

With  163  of  the  opinion  that  "  Ability "  contributes 
more  to  success  than  does  *'  Experience,"  against  57  in 
favor  of  *<  Experience,"  *' Ability"  evidently  may  be 
given  high  ranking  consequence.  The  large  majority 
for  **  Ability,"  of  course,  cannot  be  construed  to  minify 
"Experience."  The  question  is  comparative,  **  Does 
ability  contribute  more  than  experience,"  and  the 
overwhelming  majority  say,  *' Ability;"  but  do  not 
necessarily  intend  to  under-value  '*  Experience."  With- 
out question  both  are  needed,  and  success  depends 
upon  the  right  combination  of  both.  The  answers  to  the 
following  question  are  pertinent  to  this  question. 

Question  XII 

Do  you  think  that  ability  without  experience  can 
accomplish  success  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .         .  294 

Affirmatively 

"Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  60 

"Yes,  ability  will  soon  acquire  experience"    .  33 

Equivalent  of  "  Yes  " 9 

"Yes,"  with  comment  and  explanations           .  25 

"Yes,  although  experience  is  a  help,"  etc.       .  24 

TVT  .•  1  151 

Negatively 

"  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment           .  37 

Equivalent  of  "  No " 5 

"  Not  often,"  "  Seldom,"  "  Doubtful,"  etc.       .  IT 

"  Success  comes  with  experience,"  etc.  .         .  11 

~70 


"  Both  necessary " 23 

"  Not  great  success " 13 

"  Occasionally,"  "  Sometimes,"  etc.        .         .  16 

"There  must  be  some  experience,"  etc.  .  21 

73 


A  Symposium  of  Success 


147 


opinions  stand  as  follows  :  — 

That   ability  without  experience  can  ac- 

complish success           .          .          .         , 

161 

Contra-minded         .         .         .         •         , 

70 

Both  necessary         .         .         .         .         , 

23 

Not  great  success 

13 

Occasionally,  etc.    .         .         .         . 

11    ^i__i   .1, ?i?i^      '^i  _    J    

37 

It  would  appear  that  ability  without  experience  can 
accomplish  success  ;  that  both  are  necessary  to  the  full 
rounding-out  of  complete  success.  The  action  of 
ability  naturally  creates  experience,  consequently  ex- 
perience catches  up  with  ability  and  becomes  a  co- 
partner with  it  in  success-making.  The  consensus  of 
opinion  would,  however,  indicate  that  ability  alone  is 
worth  more  than  experience  alone,  experience  intensi- 
fying and  aiding  ability  ;  that  is,  giving  ability  opportu- 
nity for  its  development.  Evidently  experience  without 
ability  is  not  capable  in  itself  of  reaching  more  than 
ordinary  attainment. 


Question  XIII 

Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  go  to  college,  if  he 
intends  to  enter  business  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .  .  300 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  87 

Equivalent  to ''Yes" 25 

**  Yes,  if  possible,  if  he  has  time,  money,"  etc.  63 

'*If  he  will  apply  himself"      ....  13 

**  If  he  wants  to  and  likes  study  "    .  .  .  12 

**  If  he  has  the  capacity,"   "Yes,  generally," 

*'  College  or  technical  school,"  etc.  .  38 

223 


148         The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Negatively 

"  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment           .  38 

Equivalent  to  *' No" 6 

**  Not  as  a  rule  "  and  *'  Not  necessarily  "          .  10 

*'  Business  course  "  or  <<  high  school  enough  "  6 

69 

Indefinitely 
Non-committal        ......  7 

*«  Not  unless  some  one  will  help  him  when  he 

graduates,"  '*  Get  a  good  education"        .  11 

18 

Deducting    the     <*  indefinites,"    the    opinions 
stand : — 

Unqualifiedly  in  favor  of  a  college  course 
for  the  boy  intending  to  enter  busi- 
ness   112 

Substantially  in  favor  ....  Ill 

Unqualifiedly  opposed           ...  43 

Qualifiedly  opposed     ....  16 

When  223  out  of  300  advise  the  boy  to  go  to  college 
if  he  intends  to  enter  business,  and  only  59  are  opposed 
to  such  a  course,  the  advisability  of  a  boy's  attending 
college  if  he  intends  to  enter  business  would  seem  to  be 
no  longer  a  debatable  question,  except  where  there  are 
weighty  reasons  against  it.  The  question  of  necessity 
is  not  under  discussion ;  the  advisability  alone  is  consid- 
ered. A  college  course  undoubtedly  is  not  a  necessary 
preparation  for  a  business  life,  but  that  it  is  an  advisable 
one  is  evident. 


Question  XIV 

advise  the  boy  to  go  to  ( 
rn  a  mechanical  trade  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question  .  294 


Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  go  to  college,  if  he 
intends  to  learn  a  mechanical  trade  ? 


A  Symposium  of  Success  149 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  60 

Equivalent  of  Yes " 22 

"Yes,"    <*If    possible,"    "If   he   has   time," 

"If  he  has  money,"  etc.           ...  69 

141 

Negatively 

"  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment          .  80 

Equivalent  of  "  No " 6 

"No,  as  a  rule,"  "  Not  necessary,"  etc.           .  24 

"Technology  or  scientific  school  "  (instead)  .  38 

148 


Non-committal       ......  6 

Deducting  the  "  non-committals,"  the  opinions 
stand :  — 

In  favor  of  college  for  boys  intending 

to  learn  a  mechanical  trade    .         .  141 

Opposed  ......  148 

The  "  Noes  "  exceed  the  "  Ayes,"  yet  it  appears  that 
the  consensus  of  opinion  is  in  favor  of  higher  education 
for  boys  who  intend  to  enter  mechanical  trades.  Of  the 
negatives,  38  recommend  technology  or  scientific  school, 
instead  —  all  higher  institutions  of  learning  —  and  the 
unqualified  "Noes"  do  not  go  on  record  as  against 
any  advanced  course  save  that  of  college.  Under 
Question  XV  there  is  almost  complete  unanimity  in 
favor  of  the  technical  institute.  It  may,  therefore,  be 
accepted  that  a  higher  education,  technical  preferred, 
is  advisable  for  those  intending  to  enter  mechanical 
trades. 

Question  XV 

Would  you  advise  the   boy  to  go  to   technical 
school  if  he  intends  to  learn  a  mechanical  trade  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question  .         .  805 


150        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment          .  186 

Equivalent  of  "Yes" 45 

"  Yes,  generally,"  **  If  he  has  capacity,"  etc.  58 

289 
Negatively 
"  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  8 

Negatively  inclined         .....  2 

10 


<*  Sometimes"        ......  3 

Not  definite 3 

6 

Deducting   the   *'  not   definites,"  the  opinions 
stand :  — 

In  favor  of  the  boy  attending  a  techni- 
cal   school  if   he  intends  to  learn   a 
mechanical  trade       ....  289 

Opposed      ......  10 

Partially  in  favor  or  not  definite    .         .  6 

The  opinion  is  sufficiently  close  to  unanimity  as  to 
establish  an  **  educational  law"  in  favor  of  technical 
school  training  for  any  one  who  intends  to  take  up 
a  scientific  or  mechanical  calling. 

Question  XVI 

Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  go  to  college,  if 
he  intends  to  enter  a  profession  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question    .         .  309 

Affirmatively 

<«  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  198 

Equivalent  of ''Yes" 38 

**  Yes,"  with  emphasis,  ''Indispensable,"  etc.    .  46 

282 


A  Symposium  of  Success  151 

"  Yes,  if  possible,"  **  Almost  always,"  <<  If  he 

has  capacity,"  "  College  training  helps,"  etc.  24 

306 

Negatively 
*<  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  •  1 

"  No,"  with  qualifications        ....  2 

Deducting    the    two    qualified    *'  Noes,"   the 
opinions  stand :  — 

In  favor  of  college  for  a  boy  intending 

to  enter  a  profession  •         .         .  306 

Unqualifiedly  opposed  ...  1 

There  appears  to  be  no  question  as  to  the  advisability 
of  a  college  education  for  one  intending  to  enter  the 
professions. 

Question  XVII 

Do  you  think  it  wise  to  force  the  boy  into  college 
against  his  will  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question  .         •  301 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment        .  10 

Equivalent  of  *' Yes" 6 

*'If   lazy,  yes,"  **Very  likely,"  *'Yes,  fora 

time,"  etc 10 

<*  Sometimes" 11 


37 

Negatively 
**  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  161 

Equivalent  of  '*  No" 44 

**  Not  usually,"  etc.         ......  13 

218 


152        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

Conditionally 
*<  Persuade,  influence,  use  pressure,  guide  "    .  28 

<*  Give  him  an  opportunity  to  understand  and 
let  him  choose  for  himself,"  **  He  will 
never  regret  it,"  etc.         ....  23 

46 

Omitting  the  <'  conditionally,"  the  opinions 
stand :  — 

Unqualifiedly  in  favor   of  forcing   the 

boy  into  college  against  his  will          .  10 

Somewhat  in  favor       ....  27 

Opposed      .         .         .         .         .         .  218 

With  only  10  unqualifiedly  in  favor  of  forcing  the 
boy  into  college  against  his  will,  it  may  be  accepted 
that  coercion  or  force  in  this  direction  is  wrong  or 
unwise,  and  should  not  be  exercised.  There  can, 
however,  be  no  objection  to  the  earnest  use  of  persua- 
sion, proper  influence,  and  advice. 

Question  XVIII 

If  the  boy  has  no  preference,  and  is  only  an 
ordinary  boy,  with  little  ambition,  would  you  advise 
him  to  enter  a  trade,  a  business,  or  a  profession  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .         .  278 

**  Trade,"  without  qualification  or  comment     .  97 

Equivalent  of  '*  Trade,"  with  qualification  or 

comment         ......  37 

134 


**  Business,"  without  qualification  or  comment  13 

Equivalent  of  *'  Business,"   with  qualification 

or  comment     ......  7 

~20 


A  Symposium  of  Success  153 

<*  Trade  or  business,"  without  qualification  or 

comment  ......  14 

**  Trade   or  business,"   with    qualification    or 

comment  .«••..  18 


32 


"Profession"         .... 

<*  Trade  or  profession  " 

**  Arouse  his  ambition,  wake  him  up  " 

<<  Agriculture  and  ranch  " 

<*  Army  or  Navy,"  **  Laborer,"  etc. 

Indefinitely    ..... 


3 

1 

13 

6 

49 

20 


The  opinions  stand :  — 

In  favor  of  a  trade            ....  184 

In  favor  of  a  business       ....  20 

In  favor  of  trade  or  business    ...  82 

In  favor  of  a  profession    ....  3 

It  appears  that  a  trade  is  best  for  an  ordinary  boy  of 
little  ambition. 

Question  XIX 

Would  you  advise  a  young  man  of  experience 
and  ability,  at  a  fair  salary,  to  go  into  business  for 
himself  in  the  line  of  his  experience,  provided  he 
has  sufficient  capital  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question  .         .  284 

Affirmatively 

**  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  141 

Equivalent  of ''Yes" 39 

**  Yes,  generally  ".....  4 
«*  Yes,  if  circumstances  are  favorable,"  *'  If  he 

has  capacity,  '*  If  ambitious,"  etc.    •         .  56 

240 


154        ^^^  ^oy  —  ^ow  to  Help  Him  Succeed 
*'  Be  sure  of  himself,  first"    .... 


245 


Negatively 

*'  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  3 

"  No,  as  a  rule" 4 

<*  No,"  '*  Work  for  large  house;  more  likely 
to  be  profitable  and  sure,"  *' Wait  for 
partnership  in  present  business "        .         .  7 

14 


Non-committal  or  indefinite    ....  25 

Deducting  the  <«  non-committals  or  indefinites," 
the  opinions  stand  :  — 

In  favor  of  a  young  man  of  experience 
and  ability,  at  a  fair  salary,  going 
into  business  for  himself  in  the  line 
of  his  experience,  provided  he  has 
sufficient  capital        ....  180 

In  favor,  under  conditions    ...  65 

Actually  opposed  ....  3 

Partially  opposed  ....  11 

It  may  be  accepted  that  it  is  advisable  for  a  young 
man  of  experience  and  ability,  now  receiving  a  fair 
salary,  to  go  into  business  for  himself  in  the  line  of 
his  experience,  provided  he  has  sufficient  capital. 


Question  XX 

Would  you  advise  a  young  man  of  experience 
and  ability,  at  a  fair  salary,  to  go  into  business  for 
himself  in  the  line  of  his  experience  upon  borrowed 
capital  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .         .  273 


A  Symposium  of  Success  155 

Affirmatively 

<<  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         ,  40 

Equivalent  of  '*  Yes" 12 

"  Under  exceptional  circumstances,"  etc.        .  24 

*«  Not  without  some  (half)  of  his  own  money"  11 

*<  Only  if  of  exceptional  ability  "    ...  8 

*'  Debt  sometimes  is  a  good  thing"          .          .  7 

*«  Yes,  providing  on  good  terms"              .          .  6 

**  If  sure  of  himself  with  good  reason"           .  6 
**  If  he  has  pluck,  health,  and  energy,"  *'  Only 

on  expert  advice,"  etc.    ....  15 

129 
Negatively 

**  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment           .  68 

Equivalent  of  "  No  " 27 

'*  Ordinarily  no,  probably  not,  not  usually,"  etc.  16 
<*  Not  if  he  has  fair  salary,"  "  Would  take  big 

risks,"  **  Seldom,"  etc 16 

117 

Indefinitely 

"  Depends,"  **  Yes  and  No,"  etc.    ...  27 

Deducting     the    '*  indefinites,"    the    opinions 
stand :  — 

Unqualifiedly  in  favor  of  a  young  man 
of  experience  and  ability,  at  a  fair 
salary,  going  into  business  for  him- 
self in  the  line  of  his  experience  upon 

borrowed  capital       ....  40 

In  favor  under  conditions      ...  89 

Unqualifiedly  opposed           ...  68 

Qualifiedly  opposed     ....  69 

It  appears  that  52  unqualifiedly  advise  a  young  man 
of  experience  and  ability,  at  a  fair  salary,  to  go  into 
business  for  himself  in  the  line  of  his  experience  upon 


156        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

borrowed  capital ;  and  that  85  are  unqualifiedly  opposed 
to  such  action ;  that  129  are  qualifiedly  or  unqualifiedly 
in  favor;  and  117  are  qualifiedly  or  unqualifiedly 
opposed.  The  affirmatives  and  the  negatives  sub- 
stantially balance;  but  the  qualifications,  comments, 
and  advice  presented  indicate  that  borrowed  capital  is 
both  safe  and  unsafe ;  advisable  and  inadvisable ;  fre- 
quently, if  not  always,  attended  by  risk.  It  may  there- 
fore be  set  down  as  a  rule  that  capital  should  not  be 
borrowed  unless  the  borrower  has  either  good  material 
collateral  or  probable  opportunity  and  recognized 
ability  and  stability.  Borrowing  is  safe  and  advisable 
only  when  it  pays  to  borrow,  and  it  does  not  pay  to 
borrow  unless  the  probable  opportunity  and  evident 
ability  of  the  borrower  are  the  equivalent,  or  close  to 
the  equivalent,  of  material  collateral. 

Question  XXI 

To  what  one  great  cause,  do  you  think,  more 
than  to  any  other,  is  due  the  majority  of  failures  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .  .  287 

An  absolutely  accurate  recapitulation  or  tabulation 
of  the  replies  to  this  question  is  impossible,  on  account 
of  the  great  variation  in  the  expression  of  opinion.  It 
is  obvious  that  it  would  not  be  possible  to  answer  this 
question  by  ' '  Yes  "  or  *  *  No,"  nor  could  the  answerers 
be  expected  to  follow  any  set  form  of  wording.  The 
following  attempted  recapitulation  is  presented  for  what 
it  may  be  worth  as  giving  the  general  scope  of  the 
replies.  In  the  compilation  an  attempt  has  been  made 
to  consolidate  similar  words  and  expressions ;  for  in- 
stance, **lack  of  persistence"  and  ^'lack  of  persever- 
ance "  are  grouped  under  the  latter  heading ;  any 
expressions  meaning  bad  habits,  under  *'bad  habits;" 
and  such  expressions  as  **lack  of  honesty,"  *' dishonest 
practices,"  etc.,   under  the   head   of   ''dishonesty"  or 


A  Symposium  of  Success 


IS7 


"  lack  of  integrity."  The  figures  following  each  word 
or  expression  represent  the  number  of  times  the  reason 
appears,  either  in  words  or  in  substance. 


Bad  habits 

Bad  luck 

Behind  the  times  .... 
Borrowed  capital   .... 

Carelessness 

Circumstances 

Competition 

Credit 

Debt 

Dependence  upon  luck  .     . 
Desire  to  make  money  fast 

Diffuse  effort 

Dishonesty 

Extravagance 

False  pride 

Ignorance 

Imprudence 

Imitation  of  others    .    .     . 
Inattention  to  details     .     . 

Incapacity 

Indecision 

Indifference 

Insincerity  to  one's  self 

Intemperance 

Lack  of  ability 

„      „  adaptability  .    .    . 

„      „  ambition  .... 

„      „  application   .     .    . 

„      „  brains 

„      „  business  ability 

„      „  capital      .... 

„      „  caution     .     .    .     . 

„      „  character      .    .     . 

„      „  concentration    .     . 

„      „  conservatism     .     . 

„      „  courage    .     .     .     . 

„      „  encouragement 

„      „  energy      .... 

„      „  experience    .     .     . 

„      „  foresight  .... 


18 
1 
1 
1 

11 
2 
3 
3 
6 
2 

11 
6 

10 

33 
2 
7 
1 
2 
6 
7 


1 
9 

23 
1 
6 

54 
2 
1 
9 
1 
5 
4 
2 
6 
1 

12 

14 
4 


Lack  of  good  advice      ...        1 
„  health  ......         2 

„  integrity 12 

„  interest 1 

„  judgment      ....      36* 

„  patience 4 

„  perseverance  ...  18 
„  politeness  ....  1 
„  self-control  ....  1 
„  self-reliance      ...        3 

„  sense    4 

„  sense  of  responsibility         2 

„  stability 4 

„  stick-to-itiveness   .    ,        6 

„  tact 1 

„  thoroughness    ...        4 

„  thrift 1 

„  training 12 

Laziness 27 

1 
2 
1 
8 
1 
1 
7 
1 
3 
2 
1 


Lying 

Mismanagement  .... 
Mother's  love  and  kindness 
Neglect  of  business   .    .    . 

Out  of  place 

Over  ambition 

Over-confidence     .... 

Poor  system 

Selfishness 

Shiftlessness 

Slack-twistedness  .... 


Speculation 14 


Stupidity 
Tendency  to  change  .  . 
Thoughtlessness  .  .  . 
Too  rapid  expansion 
Unfaithfulness  .... 
Unwillingness  to  pay 
price  of  success      .     . 

Vanity 

Going  into  wrong  things 


the 


Question  XXII 

Which  do  you  consider  the  best  six  books  for  the 
boy  to  read  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question  . 


191 


158        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


The  figures  given  after  each  title  denote  the  number 
of  persons  recommending  the  book  or  author.  The 
arrangement  is  in  accordance  with  the  frequency  of 
the  recommendation.  The  names  of  books  and 
authors  are  tabulated  just  as  they  are  given  by  those 
who  recommend  them,  and  the  author's  name  does 
not  follow  the  book-title  unless  it  is  given  by  the 
recommender. 


Bible 125 

Shakespeare 81 

United  States  History  ...  43 

Histories,  Ancient  and  modem  24 

England,  History  of      ...  22 

Lincoln,  Abraham,  Life  of      .  20 

Robinson  Crusoe      ....  19 
Biographies  of  best,  great,  and 

successful  men      ....  18 

Pilgrim's  Progress     ....  18 

Washington,  George,  Life  of  .  16 

Plutarch's  "  Lives "  .     .     .     .  15 

Scott 14 

Dickens 13 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  Life  of    .  12 
Best  books  on  the  boy's  busi- 
ness or  profession      ...  11 
Tennyson's  Poems    ....  11 
American   poets,  Longfellow, 
Whittier,   Holmes,   Bryant, 

Lowell 10 

Les  Miserables 10 

Self-Help  (Smiles)    ....  10 

Tom  Brown's  School  Days     .  10 

Emerson's  Essays     ....  7 

Macaulay 7 

New  Testament 7 

Arabian  Nights 5 

Dictionary 5 

Ivanhoe      5 

Le  a  t  h  e  r-S  t  o  c  k  i  ng  Tales 

(Cooper) 5 

Milton,  Works  of     ...     .  5 

Best  Poetry 5 

Thackeray 5 

Bacon's  Essays 4 

Ben  Hur 4 

Commentaries     on    Common 

Law  (Blackstone)       ...  4 
Iliad    and  Odyssey,   Transla- 
tions of  the 4 


John  Halifax 

Kingsley,  Charles,  Works  of  , 

Pushing  to  the  Front  (Mar- 
den)    

Sciences,  Good  books  on  the  . 

Uncle  Tom's  Cabin  .     .     .     . 

Up  from  Slavery  (Booker  T. 
Washington) 

What  a  Young  Boy  Ought  to 
Know  (Stall),  (The  whole 
series) 

David  Copperfield    .     .     . 

Don  Quixote 

Innocents  Abroad    .     .     . 

Magazine,  A  good    .     .     . 

Physiology,  Work  on    .     . 

Proverbs,  Book  of    .     .     . 

Roman  Empire,  History  of 
(Gibbon) 

Rome,  History  of     .     .     . 

Story  of  a  Bad  Boy  (Aldrich) 

Tale  of  Two  Cities  .     .     . 

Travel,  Works  on    .     .     . 

Wild  Animals  I  Have  Known 
(Seton) 

Aesop's  Fables    .... 

Alexander  the  Great,  Life  of 

American  Commonwealth 
(Bryce) 

Astronomy  (Young)      .     . 

Caesar,  Life  of  (Froude)     . 

Captains  Courageous    .     . 

C  o  ffi  n's,  C.  C.,  Historical 
Works 

Dumas,  A.,  Works  of  .     , 

Eliot,  George,  Works  of    . 

Empire  of  Business  (C  a  r 
negie) 

Encyclopedia  Britannica    . 

Getting  On  (Matthews) 

Holmes,  O.  W.,  Works  of 


A  Symposium  of  Success 


IS9 


Howard,  John,  Life  of  .     .     . 

Hygiene 

Jungle  Book,  The  (Kipling)  . 
Greece  and  Rome,  Histories 

of 

Lorna  Doone 

Man  Without  a  Country,  The . 
Mathematics,  Books  on  .  . 
Message  to  Garcia  (Hubbard). 
Napoleon,  Life  of  ...  . 
Origin  of  Species  (Darwin)  . 
Politeness,  Book  on  ... 
Political  Economy,  Works  on  . 
Sketch-book  (Irving)  .  .  . 
Sociology,  Works  on  .  ,  . 
Spelling-book,  A  good  .  .  . 
Stevenson,  George,  Life  of 
S  t  u  d  e  n  t's   Manual    (John 

Todd) 

Swiss  Family  Robinson  .  . 
Thoughts  (Marcus  Aurelius)  . 

Thrift  (Smiles) 

Two  Years  Before  the  Mast 

(Dana) 

Webster,  Daniel,  Speeches  of  . 
Abbott's  Histories    .... 

Adam  Bede 

Agriculture,  good  work  on 
Alice  in  Wonderland     .     .     . 
American   Congress,   The 

(Moore) 

American  People,  History  of 

(McMaster) 

America 

American  Statesmen,  Lives  of 

(36  vols.) 

Aquinas,  Thomas,  Life  of 
Architects  of  Fate    .... 
Benjamin  on  Sales    .... 

Best  Humorists 

Black  Beauty 

Blue  Poetry  Book  .... 
Book    of    Household    Poetry 

(Ripley  and  Dana)     .     .     . 

Book  of  Snobs 

Booth's  Darkest  England  .  . 
Boys'  Heroes  (Hale)  .  .  . 
Brooks,  Phillips,  Sermons  of  . 

Burns'  Poems 

Burritt,  Elihu,  Life  of  .  .  . 
Business  World  (Carnegie)  . 
Caesar 


2       Cariyle 

2       Character  (Drummond) 
2      Chronicles  (Froissart)    .     . 

Cicero 

2       Civil  Government     ,     .     . 
2       Civil  Government  (Fiske)  . 
2      Civilization,  History  of 
2      Clay,  Henry,  Life  of  (Colton) 
2       Clews,  Works  of  Henry     . 
2      Code  of  his  Own  State 
2      Coleridge,  Works  of     .     . 
2      Coming  People  (Dole)  .     .  . 
2      Commercial  Law       .     . 
2      Common  Prayer,  Book  of . 
2      Conduct  of  Life  (Emerson) 
2       Confucius,  Works  of     .     . 
2       Crawford 

Data  of  Ethics  (Spencer)  . 
2       Decision    of    Characte 

2  (Foster) 

2      Descent  of  Man  (Darwin) . 
2       Destiny  of  Man  (Fiske) 

Drummond,  Life  of  Henry 
2  DuChaiHu,  Works  of  .  . 
2       Education  (H.  Spencer) 

Education    and    Higher   Life 
(Spaulding) 

Elegy  in   a  Country   Church 
yard  (Gray)       .... 

Endeavors  After  a   Christian 
Life 

Economics,  Works  on  .     . 

Every-day  Religion  (Booth) 

Europe,  History  of  .     .     . 

Fairy  Tales  (Grimm)      .     . 

Fairyland   of   Science   (Buck 
ley) 

Familiar  Quotations  (Bartlett) 

Faust,  Goethe's    .... 

Finney,  Charles  G.,  Life  of 

First  Principles  (H.  Spencer) 

Fiske's  Histories       .     .     . 

French  Revolution  (Cariyle) 

Friendship  (Hugh  Black) 

Geography,  A  good 

Geographical    Readers    (Car 
penter) , 

Gil  Bias 

Gladstone,  Wm.  E.,  Life  of    , 

Goldsmith,  Life  of  (Irving) 

Gough,    John   B.,   Autobiog 
raphy  of 


i6o        The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Grammar,  A 

Greek  Heroes 

Gulliver's  Travels  .... 
Hamilton,  Alexander,  Life  of 
Hawthorne,  Works  of  .     .     . 

Henry  Esmond 

Henry,  Patrick,  Life  of  .  . 
His  own  cash-book  .... 
History  of  his  own  state  .  . 
History  of  the  American  Peo- 
ple (Gilman) 

Home  Influence 

How    to    Get  Along  in  the 

World  (Matthews)  .  .  . 
I  Can  and  I  Will  .... 
Imagination,  The  (Goshen)  . 
Ingersoll,  Robt.  G.,  Works  of 
Inquisition,    History    of    the 

(Lea) 

Intellectual  Life  (Hammerton) 
Johnson,  Life  of  (Boswell) 
Journey  to  the  Centre  of  the 

Earth  (Verne) 

Kenelm  Chillingly  .... 
Kipling,  Works  of    ...     . 

Kite  Trust 

Knowledge  is  Power     .     ,     . 

Koran 

Law 

Last  of  the  Barons  .... 
Livingstone,  David,  Life  of  . 
Lord  Chesterfield's  Letters  to 

His  Son 

Louis  Lambert  (Balzac)  .  . 
Manliness  of  Christ  (Hughes) 

Marietta 

Marshall,  John,  Life  of .  .  . 
Masterman  Ready  .... 
Men  of  Iron  (Peyle)      .     .     . 

Merton 

Modern  Painters  (Ruskin) 
Montaigne,  Works  of    .     .     . 

Mythology 

Nature,  Any  6  books  on  .  . 
Neighbor  Jackwood  .  .  . 
Nineteenth   Century,  History 

of 

Other     Worlds     than     Ours 

(Proctor) 

Our  Country  (Josiah  Strong) 
Parkman,  Histories  by  .  .  . 
Parsons  on  Contracts    .     .     . 


Persuasives  to  Early  Piety 

Physical  Culture 

Physics 

Plato's  Dialogues     .... 

Plato's  Republic 

Pleasures  of  Life  (Lubbock)  . 

Political  Economy  (Mill)    .     . 

Poor  Richard's  Maxims      .     . 

Pope,  Alexander,  Works  of    . 

Presidents,  Lives  of  Our  (Mc- 
Clure) 

Rabelais,  Works  of  (Besant's 
translations) 

Ready- Money  (Mortiboy)  .     . 

Religion,  Works  on       ... 

Revival  Lectures  by  Finney   . 

Rhetoric 

Rise  and  Fall  of  the  Confed- 
eracy (J.  Davis)    .... 

Rise  of  the  Dutch  Republic  . 

Robin  Hood  (Ryle)       .     .     . 

Romola 

Sanford 

Sartor  Resartus  ..... 

School  Reader    ..... 

Scottish  Chiefs 

Self-Culture  (Blakie)      .     .     . 

Silas  Marner 

Spencer,  Works  of   ...     . 

Stevenson's  Essays  .... 

Stories  of  the  Gorilla  Country 
(DuChaillu) 

Stories  of  Great  Americans  for 
Little  Americans(Eggleston) 

Story  of  sciences,  inventions, 
literature  and  art  .     .     .     , 

Story  of  the  Odyssey  (Church) 

Strenuous  Life  (Roosevelt) 

Studies  in  Social  Life    .     . 

Study  of  Sociology  (Spencer) 

Successward 

Taney,  Chief  Justice,  Life  of 

Thoughts    on    Personal    Re- 
ligion (Gouldbumt)    .     . 

Three     Midshipmen     (Kings- 
ton)     

Trades,  History  of   .     .     . 

Treasure  Island  .... 

United  States,  Annual  Statis 
tics  of 

Vice  Versa  (Anstey)      .     . 

Victor  Hugo,  Works  of     . 


A  Symposium  of  Success.  i6i 


Virginibus  Puerisque     »     . 

VirgU 

Wesley,  John,  Life  of  .  . 
White  Cross  Library  .  . 
With  Clive  in  India  (Grant) 


Wonder  Book  (Hawthorne)   .  1 

Wordsworth,  Works  of      .     .  1 
Young  Man's  Guide  (W.  A. 

Alcott) 1 


Question   XXIII 

Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  habitually  read  a 
good  daily  paper  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question   .  .  310 

Affirmatively 

'*  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  185 

Equivalent  of  *' Yes" 90 

*'  First  and  editorial  pages,"  **  Skim  it,"  etc.  13 

288 
Negatively 
**  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment  .  6 

Equivalent  to ''No" 2 

*'  Not  under  15  years  of  age,"  etc.  .         .  14 

22 


The  opinions  stand  :  — 

In  favor  of   the  habitual  reading  of  a 

good  daily  paper       ....  288 

Actually  opposed          ....  8 

Partially  opposed          ....  14 

The  overwhelming  majority  advises  the  boy  to  habit- 
ually read  a  good  daily  paper.  This  almost  complete 
unanimity  of  opinion  establishes  a  *'  rule  of  positive 
advisability  and  of  probable  necessity."  The  good 
daily  paper  is  the  *' Bulletin  of  Progress."  Without  it 
the  army  of  civilization  would  move  in  the  counter- 
marching circles  of  unprogression,  and  modern  men 
would  have  no  sufficient  clearing-house  of  knowledge. 
The  good  daily  paper,  with  its  perfection  and  imper- 


i62         The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

fection,  is  an  in-advance-representative  of  the  people ; 
always  as  good  as,  or  better  than,  its  constituency.  It 
is  the  Power  Superlative  of  human  influence. 


Question   XXIV. 

Upon  general  principles,  would  you  advise  the 
boy  to  enter  his  father's  business  ? 

Whole  number  answering  this  question    .         .  275 

Affirmatively 

"  Yes,"  without  qualification  or  comment         .  79 

Equivalent  of  **  Yes" 67 

**  Yes,  if  he  likes  it;  has  preference  for  it"      .  35 

**  Yes,  if  his  father  made  a  success  of  it,"  etc.  18 

189 
Negatively 

*'  No,"  without  qualification  or  comment           .  30 

Equivalent  of  ** No" 21 

51 


Non-committal,  indefinite,  and  **  Sometimes," 

"  Let  the  boy  choose,"  etc.    ...  35 

Deducting  the  "  non-committals,"  the  opinions 
stand :  — 

In  favor  of  the  father's  business          .  79 

In  favor,  under  some  conditions    .          .  110 

Wholly  opposed  .....  30 

Partially  opposed          .         .         .         .  21 

The  consensus  of  opinion  is  unmistakably  in  favor 
of  the  boy  entering  his  father's  business ;  but  it  does 
not  appear  to  be  pronounced  enough  to  establish  a 
<*  fact  of  success." 


A  Symposium  of  Success  163 

Question  XXV 

If  all  the  boys  in  America  were  in  session,  and 
you  were  asked  to  telegraph  a  few  words  of  advice, 
what  would  you  say  ? 

This  is  not  a  question,  in  a  questioning  sense,  and 
cannot  be  recapitulated  or  tabulated.  These  replies  are, 
however,  in  many  respects  the  most  valuable  of  all,  and 
are  the  results  of  the  deepest  thought  and  attention. 
Each  one  by  itself  is  a  complete  or  a  partial  guide  to 
success-making,  and  all  together  they  present  the  con- 
centrated advisory  essence  of  superlative  experience. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished 
Experience 

*'  Opinionists  are  afraid  of  Experience  '* 

THE   wise    man  receives    as  much  advice    as  he 
gives.     He  assimilates  and  distributes.     As  he 
teaches,  so  is  he  taught.     In  his  own  isolated 
individuality    he    knows    little,    and    is    of  little 
account ;  as  a  composite  man  he  is  of  use  to  himself 
and  to  others. 

By  association  we  live,  and  by  association  we  pro- 
gress. Each  of  us,  living  by  himself  alone,  would 
descend  to  the  savage,  and  even  to  the  animal.  The 
opinion,  or  advice,  of  any  experienced  and  authorita- 
tive individual  is  valuable,  because  it  represents  what 
he  has  learned  from  others,  perfected  by  himself. 

The  composite  advice  of  substantial  authorities  is 
well-nigh  axiomatic.  It  establishes  what  may  be  con- 
sidered a  law  of  fact.  For  example,  if  more  than  a 
majority  of  educated,  experienced,  and  capable  ex- 
perts are  of  the  opinion  that  a  certain  theory  should  be 
accepted  as  a  law,  the  community  at  large  may  safely 
acquiesce.  If  more  than  one-half  of  a  considerable 
number  of  successful  members  of  leading  trades, 
businesses,  and  professions  feel  that  a  specific  trait  is 
necessary  for  full  success  in  any  direction,  this  opinion 
may  be  said  to  have  established  a  fact,  or  what  comes 
close  to  a  fact.  If  the  best  educators,  after  years  of 
experiment,  come  to  the  unanimous  decision  that  one 
form,  or  method,  is  preferable  to  all  others,  foolish, 
indeed,  would  he  be,  who  completely  dissented  from 
the  judgment  of  so  high  a  tribunal.  What  one  thinks 
may  be  wrong,   what  a  few  think  may  not  be  right, 

164 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience         165 

what  an  ignorant  and  inexperienced  majority  may  de- 
cide upon,  may  be  very  far  from  the  truth ;  but  when  a 
considerable  number  of  representative  men  or  women, 
after  study,  experience,  and  research,  come  together 
and  render  a  more  than  majority  decision,  the  outsider 
of  the  same  mind  need  not  question  the  correctness  of 
his  view,  and  he  of  a  different  opinion  shows  his  con- 
ceit and  ignorance,  if  he  does  not  either  accept  the  over- 
whelming evidence  against  him,  or  most  deeply  and 
reverently  respect  this  authoritative  judgment,  however 
much  it  may  differ  from  his. 

That  I  might  present  to  the  boys  of  America,  and  to 
their  parents,  the  "fact  of  experience,"  reduce  theory 
to  the  minimum,  and  raise  knowledge  and  practice  to  the 
maximum,  I  have  requested  America's  leading  men  of 
recognized  accomplishment,  to  answer  a  series  of  vital, 
broad,  comprehensive,  and  specific  questions.  Every 
answer  is  representative  of  some  superlative  success,  by 
a  man  who  has  won  one,  or  more,  of  the  races  of  life. 
They  come  from  men  of  every  trade,  business,  and 
profession ;  from  men  of  great  wealth ;  from  men  of 
great  power ;  from  men  of  great  learning ;  from  men 
of  great  experience ;  from  men  who  have  lived  every- 
where and  have  breathed  the  air  of  every  condition; 
from  men  who  were  born  rich  and  have  always  lived  in 
luxury ;  from  men  who  were  born  poor  and  have 
experienced  every  hardship ;  from  men  who  have  never 
failed ;  from  men  who  have  won  success  through  failure  ; 
from  scholars,  men  of  mind  more  than  of  action  ;  from 
great  engines  of  energy ;  from  experts  of  every  class 
and  grade ;  from  men  truly  representative  of  every 
kind  of  endeavor,  from  the  mine  to  the  Capitol.  Each 
individual  gives  his  opinion,  based  upon  his  experience. 
Each  set  of  answers,  by  itself  alone,  is  an  actual, 
living-picture  of  success ;  compositely,  as  one  of  hun- 
dreds, it  is  a  part  of  a  world-wide  panorama  of  dis- 
tinguished accomplishment. 

These  Men  of  Mark  speak  in  no  uncertain  language. 


1 66         The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

They  know  where  they  stand.  As  they  have  won 
success,  so  they  can  help  others  to  obtain  it. 

Each  series  of  answers,  alone,  is  worthy  of  the 
deepest  consideration,  and  compositely  they  establish 
'*  facts  of  success." 

While  these  great  men  have  not  antagonized  any  law 
of  general  principles,  many  attribute  the  rounding-out 
of  their  career  to  some  one  thing  in  particular,  and  no 
two  would  write  in  detail  the  same  guide  to  accomplish- 
ment. No  two  pilots  steer  through  exactly  the  same 
water,  but  every  good  pilot  successfully  reaches  his 
harbor  by  following  some  accepted  course,  by  keeping 
close  to  the  middle  of  the  channel,  or  away  from  the 
middle,  if  it  be  better,  and  by  always  avoiding  obstruc- 
tions. They  follow  the  same  rules  of  the  road,  but  not 
necessarily  the  same  actual  course.  These  builders  and 
holders  of  success,  who,  in  this  book,  are  really  in 
session,  who  are  presenting  a  great  assembly  of  opinion, 
reached  success  by  following  accepted  principles ;  and 
the  expert  opinion  and  advice  of  these  men,  taken  in 
their  composite  entirety,  may  be  accepted  as  an  estab- 
lished guide  to  success  and  safety. 

The  questions  asked  were  as  follows  :  — 

No.  1.  To  what  one  thing,  or  to  what  two  or  more  things,  do  you 
attribute  your  success  ? 

No.  2.  In  choosing  a  trade,  business,  or  profession,  would  you  ad- 
vise the  boy  to  enter  the  one  for  which  he  has  a  decided  preference? 

No.  3.  In  your  opinion,  is  a  pronounced  preference  for  any  calling 
necessary  to  full  success  in  it  ? 

No.  4.  Do  you  consider  it  wise  for  the  parent  to  force  the  boy  into 
any  calling  against  the  boy's  will,  provided  the  boy  has  a  definite 
preference  and  a  probable  adaptability  for  some  other  ? 

No.  5.  Would  you  advise  the  country  bov  to  go  to  a  great  city,  if 
his  home  is  in  a  sparsely  settled  district  where  there  is  Uttle  or  no 
opportunity  for  business  ? 

No.  6.  Would  you  advise  the  country  boy  to  go  to  a  great  city,  if 
his  home  is  in  a  progressive  town  or  small  city  where  there  are  good 
or  fair  business  opportunities  ? 

No.  7.  If  the  farmer's  boy  does  not  like  farming,  should  he,  in  your 
opinion,  be  kept  on  the  farm  ? 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience         167 

No.  8.  Do  you  consider  strict  honesty  necessary  to  business  success  ? 

No.  9.  Do  you  consider  persistent  application  necessary  to  success? 

No.  10.  Do  you  think  that  one  must  love  his  work  to  be  successful 
at  it  ? 

No.  11.  Which,  in  your  opinion,  contributes  the  more  to  success, 
ability  or  experience  ? 

No.  12.  Do  you  think  that  ability  without  experience  can  accom- 
plish success .'' 

No.  13.  Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  go  to  college,  if  he  intends 
to  enter  business  ? 

No.  14.  Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  go  to  college,  if  he  intends  to 
learn  a  mechanical  trade  ? 

No.  15.  Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  go  to  technical  school,  if  he 
intends  to  learn  a  mechanical  trade  ? 

No.  16.  Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  go  to  college,  if  he  intends  to 
enter  a  profession  ? 

No.  17.  Do  you  think  it  wise  to  force  the  boy  into  college  against 
his  will  ? 

No.  18.  If  the  boy  has  no  preference,  and  is  only  an  ordinary  boy, 
with  little  ambition,  would  you  advise  him  to  enter  a  trade,  a  busi- 
ness, or  a  profession  ? 

No.  19.  Would  you  advise  a  young  man  of  experience  and  ability, 
at  a  fair  salary,  to  go  into  business  for  himself  in  the  line  of  his  ex- 
perience, provided  he  has  sufficient  capital? 

No.  20.  Would  you  advise  a  young  man  of  experience  and  ability, 
at  a  fair  salary,  to  go  into  business  for  himself  in  the  line  of  his  ex- 
perience, upon  borrowed  capital  .'* 

No.  21.  To  what  one  great  cause,  do  you  think,  more  than  to  any 
other,  is  due  the  majority  of  failures? 

No.  22.  Which  do  you  consider  the  best  six  books  for  the  boy  to 
read  ? 

No.  23.  Would  you  advise  the  boy  to  habitually  read  a  good  daily 
paper  ? 

No.  24.  Upon  general  principles,  would  you  advise  the  boy  to  enter 
his  father's  business  ? 

No.  25.  If  all  the  boys  in  America  were  in  session,  and  you  were 
asked  to  telegraph  a  few  words  of  advice,  what  would  you  say  ? 


Note.  — For  the   reader's  convenience,   these  questions  also  appear 
upon  a  loose  sheet,  to  be  used  in  reading  the  answers. 


i68 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Of  Much   Importance 

The  questions  are  numbered,  and,  to  save  space,  the  number,  and  not 
the  question,  is  repeated  in  each  set  of  answers.  The  questions  appear 
upon  the  preceding  pages.  In  each  book  is  placed  a  loose  sheet  of  ques- 
tions, to  assist  the  reader  in  following  the  answers.  A  few  of  the  persons 
answering  the  questions  preferred  not  to  reply  to  all  of  them,  ana  where 
this  occurs,  the  number  is  omitted.  Answers  like,  *'  Depends  upon  the 
boy,"  "  Circumstances  govern,"  etc.,  have  been  left  out.  The  full  individu- 
ality of  the  answers  has  been  preserved  by  not  subjecting  them  to  other 
than  proof-readers'  correction.  They  have  not  been  otherwise  edited, 
either  in  construction  or  punctuation. 

The  names  are  intentionally  not  alphabetically  arranged,  and  their  order 
is  promiscuous,  to  avoid  the  appearance  of  preference.  To  present  them 
otherwise  would  have  been  unfair  to  the  gentlemen,  who  so  generously  con- 
tributed from  their  store-houses  of  wisdom.  In  the  Table  of  Contents,  in 
the  front  of  the  book,  under  the  heading,  "  The  Voice  of  Distinguished 
Experience,"  the  names  have  been  indexed  in  alphabetical  order. 


John  A.  McCall 


New  York  City.     President,    New 
York  Life  Insurance  Co. 


1.  Determination. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Of  course. 

9.  Yes. 
la  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Occasionally. 

13.  If  he  can  go  to  college,  he  should 
do  so  irrespective  of  his  calling. 

14.  I  am  a  great  believer  in  a  college 
education. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  I  have  found  that  most  boys,  irre- 
spective of  conditions  in  life,  are  averse 
to  a  long  educational  career,  but  the 
boy  who  has  gone  to  college  seldom  if 
ever  regrets  the  time  given. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Indebtedness  often  makes  a  man's 
career,  if  he  is  governed  by  a  determi- 
nation to  pay  what  he  owes. 

21.  Lack  of  ambition. 

22.  The  Bible,  History  of  the  United 
States,  Shakespeare's  Works,  Plu- 
tarch's Lives,  Sartor  Resartus,  Life  of 
Thomas  Aquinas. 


23.  By  all  means. 

24.  If  the  father  has  been  successful 
in  a  professional  career,  the  son  may 
well  follow  in  his  footsteps,  but  other- 
wise, or  outside  of  a  profession,  time 
and  circumstances  should  control. 

25.  Be  sober,  truthful,  honest,  and 
energetic. 


Hon.  Charles  E.  Smith 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  Editor-in-Chief, 
Philadelphia  Press.  Ex-Postmaster- 
General  of  the  United  States.  For- 
merly United  States  Minister  to 
Russia. 


1.  Chiefly    to    concentration,    con- 
stancy, and  common  sense. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  right  stuff. 

6.  He  should  follow  the  law  of  his 
own  natural  gravitation. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes;  necessary  to  true  success. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Both  are  important,  but  ability 
first.  Ability  can  make  experience, 
but  experience  cannot  make  ability. 

12.  Yes,  in  many  things. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Would  advise  best  available  edu- 
cation preparatory  to  his  trade. 

15.  Yes. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


169 


16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Involves  risks,  but  sometimes 
advisable, 

21.  Lack  of  constant  attention. 

22.  Complete  History  of  the  United 
States  ;  Samuel  Smiles'  Self-Help; 
Tom  Brown's  School  Days;  Life  of 
Abraham  Lincoln;  Pushing  to  the 
Front,  or  Success  under  Difficulties; 
Les  Mis6rables. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  To  thine  own  self  be  true,  and 
it  must  follow,  as  the  night  the  day, 
thou  canst  not  then  be  false  to  any 
man. 


Hon.  Charles  R.  Flint 

New  York  City.  Treasurer,  United 
States  Rubber  Co.  Chairman,  Finance 
Committee,  Mechanical  RulDber  Co. 
Director  in  several  banks  and  corpora- 
tions. Ex-Consul-General  of  United 
States  to  Nicaragua  and  Costa  Rica. 
Organized,  Export  Lumber  Company. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Depends  on  the  boy;  if  boy  of 
remarkable  ability,  go  to  the  city;  if 
not,  stay  at  home. 

6.  Unless  of  very  unusual  ability 
would  advise  remaining  at  home. 

7.  Depends  on  ability. 

8.  Yes. 

10.  As  a  rule,  not  always. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  Such  an  education  is  a  most 
desirable  equipment  to  him  who  can 
afford  it  and  who  will  apply  himself 
industriously  to  his  studies.  It  will 
give  him  a  broad  knowledge  that  will 
prove  valuable.  It  will  sharpen  his 
faculties.  It  will  give  him  a  general 
mental  equipoise.  It  will  l^y  the 
foundation  for  lasting  friendship 
which  in  after  life  will  be  of  great 
advantage,  socially  and  in  the  busi- 
ness world.  But  if  he  cannot  afford, 
weighing  carefully  his  circumstances 
and  the  circumstances  of  his  family, 
to  pay  for  these  advantages,  he  is 
much  better  off,  both  in  a  material 
and  moral  sense,  by  going  early  into 
business,  than  he  would  be  if  he  con- 
sented to  go  through  college  at  the 


expense  of  the  comfort  of  others. 
Even  when  a  young  man  is  the  son  of 
rich  parents,  "A  college  education  is 
not  in  all  cases  advisable  as  a  prepara- 
tion for  a  '  business  career.'  "  It  is  only 
advisable  if  he  applies  himself  and 
acquires  the  habit  of  methodical  in- 
dustry. If  he  does  not,  he  should  be 
taken  out  of  college  and  put  at  the 
hardest  work.  Nothing  else  will  make 
a  man  of  him.  As  a  rule,  however, 
college  failures  are  business  failures. 
A  great  deal,  after  all,  depends  upon 
what  the  boy  is  able  to  get  out  of  his 
college  course.  The  important  point 
is  not,  has  the  young  man  gone 
through  college,  but  has  college  gone 
through  him? 

14.  If  he  is  industrious  and  ambi' 
tious,  he  is  sure  to  succeed  in  this 
progressive  country,  whether  he  goes 
to  college  or  not. 

16.  For  a  clergyman,  a  lawyer,  or  a 
doctor,  a  college  education  is  not  only 
advisable,  but  essential,  if  he  is  to 
take  a  front  rank  in  his  profession. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  ability ;  and  those  having 
ability,  lack  of  conservatism ;  extrav- 
agance. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Macaulay's 
Essays,  American  history,  and  books 
to  cultivate  the  imagination.  See 
Goshen  on  the  Imagination. 

23.  N.  V.  Times,  best  paper  for  one 
cent. 

24.  Not  at  first,  but  after  making  a 
place  with  strangers. 

Remarks.  There  is  "plenty  of 
room  at  the  top,"  and  the  number  of 
men  who  can  be  thus  occupied  is  com- 
paratively small,  and  I  repeat  as  my 
opinion,  that  most  young  men  of 
average  ability,  whose  families  are  in 
moderate  circumstances,  should  con- 
tent themselves  with  such  an  educa- 
tion as  they  can  obtain  in  the  city 
high  school  or  the  village  academy, 
up  to  their  seventeenth  or  eighteenth 
year,  and  then  make  life  their  univer- 
sity. They  will  have  this  satisfaction, 
that  while  they  may  be  at  some  dis- 
advantage, they  are  not  thereby  de- 
barred from  reaching  the  first  places 
in  the  conduct  of  affairs;  that  the 
struggle  itself  is  a  school  for  the  de- 
velopment of  energy  and  character. 
It  is  as  true  now  as  ever,  the  opportun- 
ity does  not  make  the  man,  the  man 
makes  the  opportunity. 


170 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Charles  W.  Eliot,  U.D. 

Cambridge,  Mass.    President,  Har- 
vard University.    Author. 


1.  Good  inheritance.    Good  health. 
Sticking  to  one  job,  begun  young. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No;  the  preference  makes  suc- 
cess more  probable. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Depends  on  the  chances  be  gets. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  will  get  experience. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  School  till  18. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade  or  business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Not  without  some  capital  of  his 
own. 

21.  Lack  of  judgment. 

23.  To  skim  it. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  likes  it. 


Henry  Clews,  LL.D. 

New  York  City.  Banker.  Treas- 
urer, American  Geographical  Society 
and  Society  for  the  Prevention  of 
Cruelty  to  Animals.  One  of  the  foun- 
ders, Union  League  Club,  New  York. 
Connected  with  many  city  institutions. 

1.  Eternal  vigilance,  application, 
and  concentration  of  energies  upon 
the  matter  in  hand. 

2.  Certainly. 

3.  Not  altogether,  but  in  large 
measure. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  by  all  means. 

17.  Certainly  not. 


18.  A  trade,  or  some  business,  better 
for  such  a  youth. 

19.  Yes,  if  he  sees  no  chance  of 
being  advanced  or  taken  into  the  firm 
he  is  with. 

20.  Yes,  providing  he  can  get  the 
capital  for  from  three  to  five  years  as 
special  capital. 

.   21.  Lack  of  ability  and  application. 

22.  The  Bible,  first  of  all,  and  study 
it  well;  Shakespeare's  Works;  history 
of  his  own  country  and  good  biographi- 
cal works;  28  Years  in  Wall  Street, 
also  the  Wall  Street  Point  of  View, 
by  Henry  Clews,  LL.D. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Better  be  in  somebody  else's. 

25.  Seek  an  occupation  for  which 
you  think  for  a  certainty  you  are 
adapted,  then  work,  work,  work,  un- 
til you  conquer  all  obstacles.  You 
will  then  find  yourselves  on  top,  where 
there  is  plenty  of  room,  where  no  end 
of  success  awaits  you. 


John  Duncan  Quackenbos,M.D. 

New  York  City.  Authority  on  men- 
tal diseases.  Author  of  standard 
medical  works. 


1.  I  have  always  tried  to  perform 
faithfully  and  fully  the  duty  that  has 
lain  nearest  my  hand.  If  I  have  had 
success,  as  men  judge  success,  I  attrib- 
ute it  wholly  to  the  exploitation  of 
efficiency  that  I  have  apprehended  in- 
hering in  my  nature,  mine  by  virtue  of 
my  divine  pedigree,  a  trust  to  be  ad- 
mmistered  by  me  in  the  service  of 
humanity  as  an  unworthy  instrument 
of  God. 

2.  This  is  usually  wise. 

3.  Not  necessary. 

4.  I  do  not. 

6.  On  general  principles,  no. 

7.  Farming  should  be  made  so 
attractive  and  so  profitable  to  the 
young  people  of  our  country  districts 
that  they  will  accept  the  agricultural 
life.  We  want  an  American  population 
on  our  farms.  Good  roads,  good 
schools,  and  agricultural  colleges  (add 
farmers'  institutes)  will  keep  the  boys 
and  girls  on  the  farm. 

8.  Earnestness  and  sincerity  con- 
stitute, in  my  opinion,  the  sine  qua 
non. 

9.  Intelligent  persistence  is  a  pre- 
requisite. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


171 


10.  Yes;  to  be  successful  in  the 
highest  sense  his  heart  must  be  in  it. 

11.  Facile  ability  is  too  often  unpro- 
ductive, while  mere  experience,  un- 
supported by  natural  endowment,  is 
lifeless  in  its  work  and  minus  out- 
reach. 

12.  Experience  and  ability  are 
coupled  in  the  make-up  of  a  success- 
ful career. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes;  the  broader  and  richer  the 
mind,  the  more  satisfactory  the  attain- 
ment in  any  profession. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  The  consensus  of  educational 
opinion  favors  it;  the  great  universi- 
ties demand  it. 

17.  I  do  not. 

18.  Let  circumstances  determine. 
In  these  days  an  ordinary  boy  with 
little  ambition  may  be  transformed 
into  a  brilliant  boy  full  of  worthy 
aspiration. 

19.  It  is  always  wise  to  measure 
one's  own  strength  against  the  world. 

2a  No. 

21.  Poor  judgment. 

22.  A  perfect  novel,  Henry  Esmond; 
a  perfect  romance,  Lorna  Doone;  a 
perfect  drama,  Merchant  of  Venice; 
a  perfect  history.  Green's  History  of 
the  English  People;  a  perfect  poem, 
Tennyson's  Princess;  Emerson's 
Essays. 

23.  Unquestionably;  a  good  daily 
paper  is  a  good  daily  educator. 


George  W,  Cable 

Northampton,      Mass.       Author. 
Founder,  the  Home-Culture  Clubs. 

1.  I  attribute  such  success  as  I 
have  achieved  mainly  to  three  things : 
first,  the  advantage  of  a  particular 
talent  which  I  could  utilize  without 
the  need  of  large  outlay  of  time  or 
money  for  training  or  equipment; 
second,  a  spirit  of  diligence  and  of 
conscientious  workmanship,  and, 
third,  learning  my  lessons  when  in 
school,  thoroughly,  lovingly,  and  for 
their  own  sake. 

2.  Not  necessarily.  His  decided 
preference  should  be  only  one  among 
several  important  considerations. 

3.  No,  many  a  one  has  achieved 
great  success  in  a  calling  he  never 
would  have  entered  by  first  choice. 

4.  I    consider    it    a    sad    risk,    for 


which  there  should  be  overwhelming 
reasons,  not  sentimental  ones,  how- 
ever pious. 

5.  Let  him  try  his  metal  in  the 
nearest  active  small  town,  and  turn 
back  or  go  on  as  experience  dictates. 

6.  1  should  advise  him  to  try  boldly, 
yet  warily,  to  weigh  the  force  and 
value  of  his  talents,  and  be  governed 
accordingly.  "  First  weigh,  then  ven- 
ture," said  Von  Moltke. 

7.  The  vital  question  is,  "Why 
doesn't  he  like  farming?" 

8.  I  am  afraid  strict  honesty  is  not 
always  necessary  to  business  success, 
but  I  know  strict  honesty  is  always 
necessary.    Business  success  is  not. 

9.  No,  a  genius  may  succeed  with- 
out it,  but  such  success  will  be  of 
more  value  to  others  than  to  him. 
Pity  the  man  who  can  succeed  without 
persistent  application. 

10.  The  chances  are  nine  in  ten  that 
one  who  loves  his  work  will  succeed  in 
it,  and  the  chances  are  nine  in  ten  that 
he  who  does  not  love  his  work  will 
not  succeed  in  it.  All  the  same  there 
have  been  exceptions.  Take  General 
Grant  for  instance. 

11.  That  depends  upon  the  amount 
of  each,  and  upon  who  has  it,  and  the 
two  cannot  be  compared  by  measure. 

12.  Nobody  can  achieve  success  in  a 
moment,  and  in  two  moments  he  has 
begun  to  have  experience. 

13.  That  depends  largely  on  the 
business  and  about  as  largely  on  the 
boy. 

14.  Same  answer  as  No.  13. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No;  send  some  other  man's  boy 
who  is  eager  to  go. 

19.  I  should  advise  him  not  to  ask 
too  many  persons'  advice. 

20.  That  depends  on  a  hundred 
special,  changeable  conditions:  the 
times,  the  place,  the  man,  the  busi- 
ness, etc. 

21.  Going  into  the  wrong  thing  in 
the  first  place  and  lacking  the  courage 
to  retreat. 

22.  There  are  no  best  six  books  for 
the  boy  to  read,  any  more  than  there 
are  best  six  medicines  for  him  to  take. 
They  depend  on  the  boy,  the  individ- 
ual boy.  However,  no  weak  book  was 
ever  best  for  anybody. 

23.  I  count  it  quite  unnecessary  for 
a  boy  under  fifteen.  He  ought  to  be 
reading  books  and  cultivating  prin- 
ciples. 

25.  I  should  say,  there  is  no  success 


172 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


where  you  don't  succeed  inside  your- 
self. Outward  success  without  inward 
success  is  a  gilded  failure. 


General  Joseph  C.  Breckinridge 

Washington,  D.  C.  Inspector  Gen- 
eral, United  States  Army.  President- 
General,  National  Society  Sons  of 
American  Revolution.  Vice-presi- 
dent, Society  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  and  of  the  Society  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee. 


1.  As  far  as  I  have  had  any  suc- 
cess, I  fancy  the  simplicity  of  the 
duty  that  has  been  set  before  me  and 
the  excellence  of  the  friends  that  have 
been  given  me  have  been  important 
factors.  Being  a  southern  man,  op- 
posed to  the  institution  of  slavery  in 
the  spirit  illustrated  by  Henry  Clay 
and  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  the  career  which  I 
had  proposed  for  myself  was  entirely 
changed  by  the  breaking  out  of  the 
great  Civil  War  in  1861,  which  called  me 
into  the  military  service  of  the  coun- 
try; and  I  have  pursued  the  career  of 
a  soldier  steadfastly  ever  since. 

2.  Most  young  men,  who  can  pursue 
throughout  life  the  calling  which  they 
prefer,  are  extremely  fortunate.  But 
It  becomes  incumbent  upon  every  man 
to  faithfully  perform  the  duty  and  do 
the  work  which  comes  his  way,  and 
by  its  successful  performance  they 
can  confidently  expect  to  learn  to 
love  it. 

3.  No  boy  can  have  full  knowledge 
of  any  calling,  and  preference  founded 
on  ignorance  is  often  unimportant. 
And  necessarily,  success  is  often 
fortuitous  and  does  not  wholly  depend 
on  preference. 

4.  The  parent's  judgment  is  apt  to 
be  better  than  the  boy's,  and  few  of 
them  will  probably  apply  any  other 
force  than  what  mere  necessity  im- 
poses. 

5.  Boys  should  prepare  as  well  as 
possible  for  their  work,  and,  if  neces- 
sary, proceed  where  it  is  to  be  found. 

6.  The  man  who  is  doing  well, 
where  he  is,  is  apt  to  do  better  if  he 
continues  steadfastly  at  his  work;  and 
those  only  should  move  who  can  see 
clearly  that  they  can  benefit  them- 
selves. 

7.  A  farm  is  a  good  place  for  a  boy, 


and  his  discontent  while  there  is  not 
final  in  such  a  matter.  Every  boy 
should  be  taught  to  stick  to  his  job 
and  do  it  completely  before  he  drops 
it,  though  many  of  them  may  not  like 
farming,  or  any  other  occupation, 
which  requires  persistent  applica- 
tion. 

8.  No;  but  honesty  is  the  best 
policy  nevertheless ;  and  this  is  made 
the  more  certain,  if  there  is  a  here- 
after, in  which  I,  for  one,  fully  believe. 

9.  Persistent  application  is  prob- 
ably the  greatest  assurance  to  suc- 
cess, but  it  is  difficult  to  say  that  any 
one  quality  is  absolutely  "  necessary  " 
to  the  exceedingly  rare  individuals 
who  possess  genius,  and  so  become 
the  exceptions  which  prove  the  rule; 
though  even  genius  in  its  own  line  is 
capable  of  marvelous  toil;  and  such 
men  as  Napoleon  were  marvels  of  in- 
tense and  persistent  application. 

10.  It  is  better  that  one  should  love 
his  work  or  be  uncompromisingly 
devoted  to  it.  But  in  all  success, 
good  luck  counts. 

11.  Ability;  and  experience  is  a 
great  aid  to  ability  and  opportunity 
when  it  comes. 

12.  Yes;  perhaps,  among  all  races, 
Americans  have  demonstrated  the 
greatest  adaptability,  and  have  won 
success  in  fields  where  they  were  with- 
out previous  experience. 

13.  Yes;  the  book,  "Who's  Who  in 
America,"  demonstrates  how  very 
much  larger  chances  for  the  highest 
success  are  given  to  college  graduates. 
Schools  and  colleges  aif  ord  one  oppor- 
tunity of  exercising  and  strengthen- 
ing the  mind,  if  faithfully  profited  by. 
But  they  require  time,  money,  or  op- 
portunity, which  many  cannot  afford, 
and  still  they  succeed  without  these 
advantages. 

14.  No,  for  he  would  not  have  time; 
but  I  would  advise  a  boy  to  learn 
something  of  a  mechanical  trade, 
should  he  intend  to  go  to  college,  if  he 
has  opportunity.  The  Imperial  house 
of  Germany  does  so. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  opportunity. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes,  if  he  does  well  there;  but 
any  opportunity  for  self-improvement 
is  useless  to  one  who  will  not  profit 
from  it. 

18.  A  profession,  if  he  can  get  it; 
because  it  is  the  hardest  to  get  and 
the  others  are  the  easiest  to  drop  into. 
Senator  Proctor's  knowledge  of   the 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


173 


law  helps  and  in  no  wise  injures  him 
in  his  marble  business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  good,  sound  judgment 
and  good  luck. 

22.  Bible;  Shakespeare;  a  history 
of  his  own  country;  three  compen- 
diums  —  (i)  universal  history,  (2)  sci- 
ence, (3)  law.  For  most  men  are 
evidently  better  equipped  for  success 
by  a  fair  knowledge  of  these  five  ele- 
m'ents — religion,  literature,  history, 
science,  and  law;  and  almost  every 
man  can  get  a  taste  of  one  or  all  of 
these  in  addition  to  his  special  trade 
or  occupation. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  diligent  in  business,  serving 
the  Lord  and  your  country,  and  be 
true  to  your  fellow  men. 


Robert  C.  Ogden 

New  York  City.  Retail  merchant 
(firm  of  John  Wanamaker).  Author. 
President,  Board  of  Trustees,  Hamp- 
ton Institute,  Hampton,  Va.  Director, 
Union  Theological  Seminary.  Trustee, 
Tuskegee  Institute,  Tuskegee,  Ala. 
First  vice-president,  Pennsylvania 
Society,  New  York. 


1.  I  cannot  be  classed  among  the 
highly  successful  ,men,  either  finan- 
cially or  intellectually.  Such  success 
as  I  have  had  is  due  to  the  persistent 
and  industrious  following  of  definite 
objects.  My  health  is  good;  have 
avoided  excesses.  This  is  important. 
I  owe  much  to  association  with  men 
above  me  in  education  and  mental 
power. 

2.  Yes;  but  the  preference  should 
be  based  upon  intelligence. 

3.  No;  many  a  boy  finds  himself 
after  his  occupation  has  been  accident- 
ally chosen. 

4.  Very  unwise,  if  the  preference 
is  for  a  good  occupation  and  the  boy 
understands  himself. 

5.  If  a  boy  is  in  barren  surround- 
ings he  should  aim  to  better  himself 
either  in  a  city  or  better  country. 

6.  No,  unless  he  is  a  very  extraordi- 
nary boy. 

7.  Better  teach  him  to  like  farming. 
If  he  doesn't  like  it  he  probably  has 
not  been  properly  trained. 


8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Relatively  experience;  but  it  is 
easy  for  one  to  be  overloaded  with  ex- 
perience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes,  provided  he  has  capacity  to 
receive  and  character  to  assimilate 
higher  education. 

14.  Yes,  for  technical  course.  He 
will  be  the  better  for  knowing  the 
science  of  his  trade. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Best  chance  in  business. 

19.  Would  be  cautious.  Large  or- 
ganizations frequently  give  better 
chances  than  small  individual  enter- 
prises. 

20.  No. 

21.  Diffuse  effort.  Dabbling  in  busi- 
ness not  understood.  Big  head  in- 
duces both  these  errors. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  any  one 
of  the  good  histories  of  the  United 
States,  some  of  English  history,  Mac- 
Master's  History  of  the  American 
People. 

23.  Yes,  the  best  he  can  get. 

24.  No.  In  most  cases  he  would 
never  be  anything  but  a  boy  to  his 
father. 

25.  Be  true  to  God  and  man.  Master 
the  English  language.  Never  spend 
more  than  you  earn.  Remember  the 
glory  of  American  citizenship  and  do 
not  fail  in  doing  your  best  to  pay  your 
debt  to  the  past  by  serving  your  coun- 
try to  the  best  of  your  ability.  "  God 
and  country  first,  self  afterward." 


Rev.  Chas.  H.  Parkhurst,  D.D. 

New  York  City.  Pastor,  Madison 
Square  Presbyterian  Church.  Author. 
Reformer. 


1.  Good  parentage  and  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

7.  No, 

8.  No. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability.  "^ 


174 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  The  more  college  and  technical 
school  the  better. 

16.  Certainly. 

17.  No. 

18.  It  makes  little  difference  what 
he  does. 

19.  Generally. 

20.  He  would  take  big  risks. 

21.  A  lack  of  familiarity  with    the 
elementary  principles  of  the  business. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  diligent  in  business,  fervent 
in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord. 


Frederick  M.  Crunden,  A.M. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.  Librarian,  St.  Louis 
Public  Library.  Formerly  professor, 
Washington  University.  Ex-presi- 
dent, American  Library  Association. 
Writer  on  economic  and  sociological 
subjects. 


1.  Brains,  industry,  and  perseve- 
rance. 

2.  By  all  means. 

3.  For  full  success,  yes.  For  any 
artistic  occupation,  strong  preference 
is  necessary  to  any  measure  of  suc- 
cess. 

4.  Emphatically,  no. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  is  a  boy  of  ability  and 
ambition. 

6.  Not'  till  he  has  outgrown  his 
town.  Leadership  is  a  great  developer. 
It  is  more  quickly  attained  in  a  small 
place,  and  prepares  for  leadership  in  a 
larger  place.  The  reverse  may  often 
be  recommended  to  a  boy  of  ambition, 
but  mediocre  ability.  He  will  gener- 
ally make  more  of  a  success  by  going 
from  a  large  city  to  a  small,  progress- 
ive, new  community,  where  there  is 
less  competition  of  talent  and  educa- 
tion. 

7.  No;  don't  keep  any  boy  in  an 
occupation  he  dislikes.  What  would 
this  country  have  done  for  statesmen 
and  leaders  if  all  the  boys  had  been 
kept  on  the  farm  ? 

8.  Yes,  honesty  according  to  the 
business  standards  of  time  and  local- 
ity, but  not  according  to  strict  ethical 
standards. 

9.  One  of  the  most  necessary  of  all 
qualities;  only  the  highest  talent  can 


succeed  without  it;  and  without  it 
genius  itself  cannot  realize  its  possi- 
bilities. "  Genius  is  capacity  for  infi- 
nite painstaking.  The  heights  by 
great  men  reached  and  kept,"  etc. 

10.  Asa  rule, yes ;  though  notable  ex- 
ceptions may  be  cited.  The  chances 
are  against  one  who  does  not  like  his 
work. 

11.  Ability;  it  can  acquire  experi- 
ence. 

12.  Immediate  success  only  when 
ability  amounts  to  genius.  But  as 
said  above,  ability  can  soon  acquire 
experience. 

13.  Depends  on  the  boy  and  his  cir- 
cumstances. A  boy  who  has  to  de- 
pend on  himself  would  better  be 
satisfied  with  a  high  school  course. 

14.  As  a  general  rule,  no.  Training 
for  a  handicraft  should  begin  very 
early,  earlier  than  it  is  necessary  to 
begin  business  or  professional  train- 
ing. All  children  should  have  manual 
training  up  to  12  or  14,  then  differen- 
tiate. 

15.  I  would  give  every  boy  (and  girl) 
manual  training  in  school  from  6  to  12 
or  14  years.  Boys  intended  for  me- 
chanical trades  should  continue  till 
ready  to  take  up  practical  work. 

16.  Yes,  if  he  can  do  so  without  too 
great  sacrifice.  A  college  course  can- 
not compensate  for  loss  of  health. 

17.  No,  never;  persuade,  but  not 
coerce.  Induce  him  to  try  one  year. 
In  most  cases  he  will  go  on.  If  not, 
let  him  quit. 

18.  Not  a  profession.  Whether  trade 
or  business,  would  depend  chiefly  on 
the  boy,  and  partly  on  circumstances. 

19.  By  all  means,  provided  his  expe- 
rience also  is  sufficient. 

20.  Would  depend  a  good  deal  on  the 
age  and  qualities  of  the  man,  and  also 
on  the  opportunity.  If  not  over  25, 
better  generally  wait  and  gain  more 
experience  and  some  capital;  but  spe- 
cial opportunity  would  alter  the  case. 

21.  Lack  of  ability.  Next  to  this, 
lack  of  energy  and  industry. 

22.  In  one  of  his  published  addresses, 
President  Eliot  says:  "  From  the  total 
training  received  during  childhood, 
there  should  result  in  the  child  a  taste 
for  good  literature,  which  should 
guide  and  control  its  siibsequent  in- 
tellectual development.  That  school- 
ing which  results  in  implanting  this 
taste,  however  unsystematic  or  eccen- 
tric it  may  have  been,  has  achieved  a 
main  end  of   elementary   education; 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


175 


and  that  schooling  which  does  not  im- 
plant such  a  taste  as  failed."  Here  is 
a  list  which  it  would  be  well  for  all  boys 
to  read:  Arabian  Nights, Robinson  Cru- 
soe, Iliad  (Bryant's  translation),  Life 
of  Lincoln,  Plutarch's  Lives,  Shake- 
speare (or  a  selection  of  8  to  12  of  his 
plays),  Les  Mis^rables.  The  Bible  is 
assumed.  If  a  boy  has  a  taste  for  any 
branch  of  science,  a  book  on  this  sub- 
ject, or  the  biography  of  a  man  of 
distinction  in  this  line,  may  do  him 
more  good  than  any  other  book.  To 
create  an  interest  in  science,  read 
Arabella  Buckley's  Fairy  Land  of 
Science. 

23.  No;  keep  him  from  the  news- 
paper habit  as  long  as  possible.  A 
good  weekly  will  give  him  all  the  cur- 
rent history  that  is  necessary. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  has  a  taste  for  it.  If 
he  is  an  earnest  boy,  it  will  be  a  good 
thing  for  both  father  and  son.  Gen- 
erally, however,  he  would  better  take 
his  apprenticeship  in  some  other  office 
or  establishment. 

25.  Boys,  you  can't  all  be  famous, 
but  you  can  all  be  successful  men. 
Success  means  making  the  most  of 
one's  self;  i.  e.,  developing  all  of  one's 
powers,  physical,  mental,  and  moral, 
to  the  highest  degree.  Take  care  of 
your  health  and  strengthen  your  body 
by  athletic  sports,  but  do  not  neglect 
your  studies.  Acquire  early  a  love 
for  good  reading.  It  is  not  only  the 
greatest  aid  to  success,  but,  as  An- 
thony TroUope  says:  *'  It  is  your  pass 
to  the  greatest  pleasures  that  God  has 
prepared  for  His  creatures."  Make  up 
your  mind  what  you  are  going  to  do 
and  to  be,  and  keep  your  eye  on  the 
goal.  Aim  high.  "  Hitch  your  wagon 
to  a  star."  Don't  underrate  your 
powers.  Mediocrity  with  self-confi- 
dence often  achieves  more  than  talent 
and  self-distrust.  Don't  say,  "I 
can't,"  or  "  What's  the  use  ?  "  Read 
Sidney  Smith  on  "  Labor  and  Genius." 
Use  the  strength  and  energy  of  youth 
to  conquer  the  difficulties  that  always 
beset  the  pathway  to  success.  The 
foundations  of  a  successful  career 
must  be  laid  in  youth.  You  boys  of 
15  are  entering  the  most  important 
decade  of  your  lives.  On  what  you  do 
in  the  next  ten  years  depends  your 
whole  career.  In  that  period  you 
make  or  mar  your  fortunes,  you  de- 
termine for  success  or  failure,  happi- 
ness or  unhappiness.  Which  will  you 
choose  ? 


Hon.  John  F.  Dryden 

Newark,  N.  J.  United  States  Sena- 
tor. President,  Prudential  Insurance 
Company  of  America. 


1.  To  a  careful  study  of  the  theory 
and  principles  underlying  the  prac- 
tice of  American  life  insurance,  its 
past  history,  modern  requirements, 
and  probable  future  tendencies;  to 
unremitting  application  to  every  duty 
and  painstaking  care  in  attending  to 
details;  to  resolute  indifference  to 
difficulties,  hardships,  and  discourag- 
ing experiences,  with  an  ever-present 
and  abiding  faith  in  the  ultimate 
realization  of  my  early  aim  to  extend 
the  practice  of  life  insurance  to  the 
industrial  population;  but  finally,  to 
my  confidence  and  absolute  trust  in 
my  business  associates,  to  whose 
hearty  co-operation  and  special  ability 
I  owe  in  no  small  measure  whatever 
success  I  may  have  attained. 

2.  Most  assuredly. 

3.  Decidedly  so. 

4.  Parental  interference  in  this  di- 
rection is  rarely  justified.  A  boy 
should  be  permitted  to  work  out  his 
own  destiny,  and  if  inevitable,  suffer 
the  results  of  his  own  mistakes.  Gen- 
erally speaking,  the  responsibility 
should  rest  with  the  boy  and  not  with 
the  parents. 

5.  As  a  rule  success  is  more  likely 
to  be  attained  by  the  exercise  of  in- 
telligence and  exceptional  energy  in 
country  districts  than  in  the  large 
cities.  Generally  speaking,  the  boy 
will  do  better  if  he  remains  in  the 
country  and  develops  latent  local  pos- 
sibilities to  the  highest  possible  de- 
gree of  efficiency. 

6.  The  country  boy  is  more  certain 
of  success  in  a  progressive  town  or 
small  city  where  there  are  boundless 
opportunities  for  rapid  development 
than  in  a  large  city  where  the]  supply 
of  talent  to  fill  exceptional  positions 
generally  exceeds  the  demand. 

7.  A  boy  should  never  be  forced 
into  a  calling  which  is  distasteful  to 
him.  The  parent  should  make  sure 
that  the  antipathy  to  farming  is 
real  and  not  only  apparent.  Where 
the  distaste  for  farming  is  genuine, 
the  boy  should  be  readily  permitted 
to  follow  any  other  calling  more 
agreeable  or  satisfactory  to  him. 

8.  There  can  be  no  question  about 


176  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

the  absolute  necessity  of  strict  hon-  to  go  into  business  for  themselves, 
esty  in  all  business  dealings.  While  and  failure,  as  a  rule,  results  in  con- 
temporary material  success  is  often  sequence  of  the  false  ambition  for  in- 
attained  by  dishonest  means,  per-  dependence  at  a  time  when  rigid  dis- 
manent  success  is  never  possible  ex-  cipline  is  needed  most, 
cept  on  the  basis  of  strict  honesty  in  20.  Under  certain  restrictions  I  am 
all  the  various  relations  of  life.  in  favor  of  young  men  making  their 
9.  Without  persistent  application  own  start  in  life  with  borrowed  capital, 
real  success  in  the  wider  sense  is  The  capital  borrowed,  however, 
practically  impossible.  should  be  solely  for  the  purpose  of 
10  Unless  there  is  a  genuine  attach-  enlarging  the  business  "beyond  what 
ment  to  the  work  or  employment  in  their  own  possessions  would  permit, 
which  a  man  is  engaged  year  in  and  Capital  should  not  be  borrowed  for 
year  out,  success  in  the  true  sense  of  venturesome  experiments,  which  al- 
the  word  is  impossible.  most  invariably  terminate  in  failure, 

11.  Ability  for  a  given  calling  rarely  the  burden  of  which  makes  strongly 
exists  without  the  necessary  experi-  against  the  possibility  of  any  future 
ence  of  which  the  ability  is  the  result,  success. 

Of  course,  a  few  have  inborn  talents,  21.  Inexperience, 

but  even  so,   the  ability  making  for  22.  First,  a  good  text-book  on  hu- 

success  must  needs  be  supplemented  man  physiology  and  hygiene.    Long, 

by  a  large  amount  of  personal  experi-  healthy  life  is  the  first  pre-requisite 

ence  and  contact  with  the  elements  for  real  and  enduring  success  in  life, 

and  forces  making  for  or  against  sue-  Second,    Spaulding's    Education  and 

cess  in  a  business  life.  the  Higher  Life.    The  moral  basis  of 

12.  Occasionally,  but  not  as  a  gen-  life  pre-supposes  in  the  struggle  for 
eral  rule.  -success  the  desire  on  the  part  of  the 

13.  I  am  decidedly  in  favor  of  a  boy  to  be  more  than  to  have  more, 
college  education,  believing  it  to  be  Without  such  a  basis  real  success  is 
of  the  greatest  possible  value  in  the  impossible.  Third,  the  Study  of  So- 
struggle  for  success  in  almost  every  ciology  by  Herbert  Spencer,  as  an  aid 
vocation  in  life.  to  the  understanding  of  the  laws  of 

14.  This  depends,  in  a  measure,  upon  social  progress  and  decay.  Fourth, 
the  trade  to  be  followed,  but  generally  Bryce's  American  Commonwealth,  as 
speaking,  all  higher  education,  with  an  aid  to  the  understanding  of  the 
the  implied  mental  training  and  dis-  principles  of  our  government  and  its 
cipline,  must  prove  a  decided  ad-  institution.  Fifth,  the  Messages  of 
vantage  and  fit  the  boy  for  a  higher  the  Presidents  (or  a  good  history  of 
position  than  he  would  otherwise  the  United  States),  as  an  aid  to  the 
attain.  broad  comprehension  of  our  political 

15.  Training  in  a  technical  school  history  and  policy.  Sixth,  the  Annual 
is  likely  to  prove  of  very  considerable  Statistical  Abstract  of  the  United 
advantage,  but  the  theoretical  study  States,  for  an  accurate  knowledge  of 
of  a  given  trade  is  more  valuable  the  facts  of  our  economic  and  social 
when  it  follows  some  years  of  actual  progress. 

experience    than    when    it    precedes  23.  Yes. 

it.  24.  Yes. 

16.  Yes.  25.  Work    unweariedly,   and    never 

17.  Nothing  could  be  more  ill-  lose  your  courage.  Have  an  abiding 
advised,  for  whatever  is  thus  gained  faith  in  yourself  and  your  future, 
in  one  direction  is  likely  to  prove  a  Educate  yourself  in  all  that  pertains 
distinct  hindrance  in  the  general  to* your  calling,  and  determine  to  ex- 
direction  of  the  boy's  struggle  for  eel  each  day  in  the  work  you  have  to 
success  in  business  life.  do.     Love  and   respect   your   work, 

18.  By  all  means,  such  a  boy  should  and  be  loyal  to  your  employer,  for 
be  induced  to  enter  a  trade,  rather  success  is  possible  in  every  useful 
than  a  business  or  profession.  In  the  occupation.  Do  not  undervalue  ma- 
former  a  limited  degree  of  success  is  terial  success,  but  determine  to  be 
readily  attained,  while  in  business  or  more  rather  than  to  have  more, 
in  the  professions  the  failure  of  such  The  foundations  of  every  real  success 
a  boy  is  practically  a  certainty.  in  life  are  intelligent   industry    and 

19.  Few  young  men  are  competent  every-day  morality. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


177 


David  S.  Jordan,  M.D.,  Ph.D. 

Palo  Alto,  Cal.     President,  Leland 
Stanford,  Jr.  University.    Author. 


1.  Such  as  it  is,  to  recognizing  the 
value  of  time  and  not  letting  any  of  it 
go  to  waste.  Secondarily,  to  keeping 
the  nervous  system  free  from  needless 
disturbances, 'such  as  are  produced  by 
tobacco  and  alcohol.  Third,  attention 
to  details,  when  attention  is  due  to 
them. 

2.  If  the  preference  is  of  an  active 
workable  kind,  yes.  I  would  not  re- 
gard love  of  candy  as  a  reason  for 
making  a  boy  a  confectioner. 

3.  A  preference  for  work  is,  but 
some  men  can  turn  their  efforts  in 
various  directions.  In  general,  a  real, 
working  preference  is  very  desirable. 

4.  Usually  not;  there  may  be  ex- 
ceptions. 

5.  Most  country  boys,  no;  for  cer- 
tain ones,  yes. 

7.  Depends  on  whether  he  has  a 
worthy  liking  for  something  else. 

8.  Yes. 
g.  Yes. 

10  In  a  reasonable  degree. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Can  win  experience. 

13.  Certainly,  if  there  is  anything  in 
the  boy  worth  educating. 

14.  See  above.  He  would  there  learn 
engineering,  not  a  "  trade." 

15.  If  the  boy  is  worth  training. 

16.  If  he  has  brains  and  character, 
but  I  should  send  him  to  a  college 
with  a  broad  range  of  choice  in 
studies. 

17.  If  the  boy  is  worth  anything  he 
can  be  made  to  see  the  value  of  train- 
ing. Usually  the  boy,  who  does  not 
wish  to  go  to  college,  dislikes  Latin; 
but  he  should  find  in  college  things  he 
does  like;  for  most  boys  Latin  is  poor 
educational  stuff,  but  it  is  good  for 
some. 

18.  Depends  on  the  little  there  is  in 
him ;  usually  a  trade. 

19.  Depends  on  circumstances.  The 
co-ordination  of  business  makes  the 
work  for  large  firms  or  corporations 
more  profitable  than  a  private  small 
business. 

20.  Ordinarily  not,  but  there  are 
many  exceptions. 

21.  Lack  of  conscience. 

22.  There  are  many  good  books. 

23.  Yes. 


24.  Depends  on  the  boy  and  the 
father. 

25.  So  act  day  by  day  that  nothing 
you  do  will  injure  your  after-self,  or 
prevent  the  man  you  ought  to  be  from 
doing  all  that  he  might  when  his  time 
comes  to  be  and  to  act. 


Ohio  C.  Barber 

Barberton,   Ohio.     President,    The 
Diamond  Match  Co.    Financier. 


1.  Being  thoroughly  interested  in 
my  business,  brought  about  by  early 
training  by  my  father  and  mother, 
who  taught  me  how  to  work,  and  to 
be  so  interested,  both  for  profit  and 
the  satisfaction  of  doing  what  I  did 
to  do  it  as  nearly  correct  as  possible. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No.  An  earnest  intention  will 
overcome  a  pronounced  preference. 

4.  I  would  say,  no. 

5.  If  he  has  the  ambition  to  do  so. 
An  extended  acquaintance  and  knowl- 
edge of  many  men  and  many  things 
are  necessary  for  great  accomplish- 
ments. 

6.  Better,  perhaps,  to  begin  near 
home,  but  it  all  depends  on  the  boy 
himself.  If  he  has  good  material  in 
him,  it  will  show  up  in  the  long  run. 

7.  If  he  does  not  like  farming  be- 
cause he  is  lazy,  better  keep  him 
there  until  he  gets  over  that  period. 

8.  Yes,  emphatically. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  If  a  man  has  ability,  he  will  find 
the  way  to  success,  usually,  but  ex- 
perience is  a  great  help. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  A  good  education  ought  not  to 
be  a  drawback  to  success.  I  think, 
however,  that  two  boys,  taken  from 
school,  of  eflual  ability,  after  going 
through  the  high  school  course,  one 
put  direct  to  business,  the  other  to  go 
through  a  college  course,  then  after- 
wards to  business,  the  one  that  starts 
first  in  business  will  be  the  greater 
business  success. 

14.  The  greater  knowledge  a  man 
has  of  everything  pertaining  to  busi- 
ness, the  easier  it  is  to  accomplish 
any  given  end.  It  is  pretty  late  in 
life,  however,  after  graduating  in  a 
college,  for  a  young  man  to  take  up  a 
mechanical  trade.     The  bent  of   his 


1^8 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


mind  is  usually  changed  by  a  college 
education  to  other  fields  than  me- 
chanics. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  I  would  buy  such  a  boy  a  good 
shovel. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  has  pluck  and  health 
and  energy. 

21.  Inattention  to  business  details. 

22.  There  are  lots  of  good  things  in 
the  Bible,  but  in  this  age,  to  be  an 
up-to-date,  all-round  business  man, 
a  man's  reading  must  be  very  general. 
He  should  read  much  and  think  much. 
I  think  for  a  boy,  biography  is  a  great 
stimulant  to  action. 

23.  Yes  and  no.  If  a  boy  has  a 
disposition  to  analyze  what  he  reads 
in  the  daily  paper,  it  would  be  a  good 
prompter  to  read  it  regularly;  other- 
wise, he  had  better  read  only  that 
portion  that  contains  news. 

34.  Yes,  as  the  experience  and  ad- 
vice of  his  father  should  be  of  great 
help  to  him. 

25.  Be  honest,  be  sincere,  and  ear- 
nestly follow  the  calling  you  have 
chosen.  Do  not  acquire  bad  habits  or 
choose  bad  company,  as  it  is  much 
pleasanter  to  be  with  people  who  have 
a  proper  appreciation  of  life.  Be 
manly  in  all  things,  and  then  you  will 
respect  the  fair  sex,  as  you  do  your 
mother,  and  you  will  win  the  most 
beautiful  and  the  best  of  your  ac- 
quaintance, and  in  due  time  make  her 
your  wife. 


Hon.  Thomas  B.  Bryan 

Chicago,  111.  Lawyer.  President, 
Chicago  Soldiers'  Home.  Founder, 
Graceland  Cemetery  and  Fidelity 
Safe  Depository.  Commissioner,  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia.  Was  Vice-presi- 
dent, World's  Columbian  Exposition. 
Ex-president,  Union  League  Club. 


I.  To  a  resolution,  steadily  ad- 
hered to  through  a  long  life,  to  attain 
success,  not  in  wealth,  distinction,  or 
power,  but  in  the  richest  possible 
harvest  of  happiness  to  be  reaped 
from  domestic  joys,  the  love  of  nature, 
of  books,  and  friends.  That  form  of 
success  —  the  only  one  I  can  claim  — 
may  not  find  fayor  with  the  ambitious; 


for,  as  it  has  been  well  said,  ' '  We  are 
all  such  a  rude  medley  of  compounds, 
and  those  of  so  various  a  texture,  that 
every  piece  plays  every  moment  its 
own  game." 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  "necessary,"  but  generally 
conducive  to  it. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  possessed  of  good  moral 
stamina  and  business  aptitude. 

6.  The  "great  city"  offers  superior 
advantages,  provided  the  youth  has 
pronounced  capacity  and  judgment. 
Otherwise  the  "progressive"  home 
town  would  be  preferable,  generally, 
because  of  family  and  friendly  aid. 
If  succeeding  there,  can  afterward 
seek  a  new  field. 

7.  No,  not  after  he  has  reached  the 
age  of  discretion. 

8.  Fickle  Fortune  sometimes  smiles 
on  the  wicked,  but  honesty  is  in- 
finitely best  in  every  sense,  and  even 
the  most  profitable  in  the  vast  ma- 
jority of  cases. 

9.  Generally  yes.  Let  my  answer 
assume  the  form  of  a  couplet : 

Without  thought  and  due  effort  few 

works  are  perfected; 
Add  persistence  to  zeal,  if  success  be 

expected. 

10.  Enjoyment  of  one's  pursuit  is  a 
favorable  stimulus  to  promote  its 
success. 

11.  Ability.  Real  ability  very  rarely 
fails  of  ultimate  success,  while  experi- 
ence, alas !  may  not  so  prove  to  be  its 
sure  foundation. 

12.  Yes,  for  it  precedes  and  estab- 
lishes experience. 

13.  Yes,  statistics  show  conclusively 
that  education  is  conducive  to  success 
in  every  avenue  of  industry.  But  col- 
lege education  is  not  indispensable. 

14.  Yes,  for  the  reason  just  stated. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  As  between  a  trade  and  busi- 
ness, the  choice  would  depend  upon 
the  boy's  mechanical  ingenuity,  or 
other  capacity,  his  tastes  and  turn  of 
mind,  besides  family  and  other  condi- 
tions. But  "an  ordinary  boy,  with 
little  ambition,"  should  certainly  not 
attempt  a  profession. 

19.  With  the  assumed  combination 
of  "experience  and  ability,"  he  ought 
to  be  competent  to  decide  for  himself 
judiciously,  and  if  he  find  the  field 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


179 


open  and  inviting,  he  would  be  likely 
to  enter  it. 

2a  Generally  not,  for  the  reason 
that  failures  in  business,  especially 
the  mercantile,  very  largely  out- 
number successes.  Hence  "a  young 
man  of  experience  and  ability  at  a 
fair  salary "  would  ordinarily  do 
wisely  to  husband  his  own  means  to 
provide  a  little  capital  with  which  to 
embark  in  business,  rather  than  to  rely 
wholly  on  ' '  borrowed  capital."  Credit 
in  purchase  of  stock  is,  however,  com- 
mon, and  with  due  care,  and  with 
ability  of  the  merchant,  is  safe. 

21.  To  want  of  caution  and  undue 
haste  to  make  money. 

22.  A  boy's  tastes  and  ambitions 
should  control,  in  a  great  measure,  the 
selection  of  books  for  his  early  years. 
If  approaching  manhood,  the  most 
useful  books  to  put  in  his  hands  are 
those  specially  designed  to  show 
"How  to  get  along  in  the  world,"  of 
which  helps  there  are  many,  next  to 
the  Bible,  excellent  for  that  purpose. 
To  cultivate  an  appetite  for  reading, 
the  gradation  might  be  from  Robin- 
son Crusoe,  and  Sand  ford  and  Merton, 
up  to  Don  Quixote  and  Montaigne, 
which,  with  Besant's  Readings  from 
Rabelais,  are  calculated  to  stimulate 
a  youth's  fondness  for  books.  Of  the 
sober  and  religious  order,  none  ever 
impressed  me  more  than  Martineau's 
"  Endeavours  After  a  Christian  Life." 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  the  business  be  congenial, 
and  the  opportunity  otherwise  favor- 
able. A  father  is  generally  the  most 
pains-taking  of  instructors,  and  his  ex- 
perience to  a  son  entering  in  the  same 
line  of  business  is  likely  to  be  in- 
valuable. 

25. 
Keep  God  in  view,  and  vice  eschew. 
Conscience    revere    and    truth    hold 

dear. 
Avoid  all  debt,  and  never  bet. 
Take  care  of  details.    Beware  of  cock- 
tails. 

Remarks.  The  words  of  affection- 
ate moral  warning,  addressed  by  me 
to  very  young  men  entering  the  army, 
may  (with  slight  modification)  not  be 
inappropriate  to  such  as  are  entering 
the  battles  of  life.  They  were  these : 
The  most  of  you  are,  for  the  first 
time,  about  to  be  initiated  into  the 
mysteries  of  war.  Resolve  in  advance 
that  it  shall  not  prove  to  ^^ou  a  school 
of  vice,  and  that  in  donning  the  uni- 


form, you  doff  not  the  gentleman. 
Keep  the  lips  pure,  that  no  blasphemy 
go  out,  and  nothing  vile  go  in.  Use 
as  much  powder  as  you  please  against 
the  enemy,  but  do  not  spout  fire  and 
brimstone  among  your  friends.  When 
the  stomach  is  diseased  the  breath  is 
offensive;  let  not  the  character  of 
your  speech  indicate  foulness  of  heart. 
"Hard  tack"  may  not  be  luxurious 
diet,  but  a  mess  of  curses  and  vul- 
garity is  infinitely  more  unwhole- 
some, and  to  all  but  vitiated  appe- 
tites greatly  more  unpalatable. 
Station  a  sentinel  about  the  citadel 
of  your  virtue,  and  let  not  licentious- 
ness be  your  camp  divinity.  Remem- 
ber that  courage  is  not  a  quality  of 
mushroom  growth,  and  that  Godli- 
ness is  the  surest  antidote  to  dread  of 
bombs  and  bullets.  Let  virtue,  there- 
fore, be  your  morning  star,  and  even 
amid  the  gleam  of  swords  it  will 
shine  benignantly  upon  you.  Choose 
conscience  as  your  safest  counsellor, 
and  never  be  deaf  to  its  "  still,  small 
voice,"  even  amid  the  clang  of  arms 
and  the  thunders  of  artillery.  In 
whatever  confiicts  you  may  be  en- 
gaged remember  always  that  the 
greatest  of  all  conquests  is  the  victory 
over  one's  self. 


Edward  J.  Wheeler,  A.M. 

New  York  City.  Editor-in-Chief, 
The  Literary  Digest.  Secretary, 
Westerleigh  Collegiate  Institute. 
President,  Prohibition  Park  Building 
&  Loan  Association.  Director,  Funk 
&  Wagnalls  Co.    Author. 


1.  To  a  love  for  work,  and  patience 
with  its  inevitable  drudgery.  The 
old  Latins  knew  what  they  were  about 
when  they  put  patience  first  in  telling 
us  that  patience  and  perseverance 
conquer  all  things.  The  man,  who 
combines  energy  and  patience,  is  a 
"  sure  winner  "  in  almost  any  line  of 
activity. 

2.  Not  necessarily.  He  should 
follow  his  aptitude  rather  than  his 
preference. 

3.  Not  necessary  always  to  a  fair 
measure  of  success;  but  necessary  to 
the  highest  success. 

4.  It  is  unwise,  unless  exceptional 
circumstances  require  it.  Most  of  the 
happiness  a  man  gets  out  of  life  must 


i8o 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


be  from  his  work.    If  he  gets  none 
there,  he  is  to  be  pitied. 

8.  I  am  afraid  not,  if  '*  success  "  is 
to  be  measured  by  the  bank  account. 

9.  Invariably. 

■  10.  As  a  rule  (with  exceptions),  yes. 
13.  That  depends.  William  E.  Rus- 
sell, Governor  of  Massachusetts,  said, 
"By  all  means  make  a  living.  But 
remember  that  there  is  something 
more  important  than  making  a  living 
and  that  is  making  a  life.''''  The  col- 
lege helps  any  man  to  make  a  life. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Not  usually. 

18.  Whichever  presents  line  of  least 
resistance.  That  will  depend  usually 
on  his  father's  occupation  and  the 
opening  he  can  make  for  his  son. 

19.  Yes,  if  a  fair  opening  presents. 

20.  Very,  very  seldom. 

21.  Lack  of  common  sense,  or  failure 
to  exercise  it. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  I  would  quote  William  E.  Rus- 
sell's saying  as  given  in  answer  to 
No.  13. 


Admiral  George  W.  Melville 

Washington,  D.  C.  Engineer-in- 
Chief,  United  States  Navy.  Arctic 
explorer.  Inventor.  President, 
American  Society  Mechanical  En- 
gineers. 


1.  Persistence  and  work.  Healthy 
parents  that  gave  me  a  strong  consti- 
tution. 

2.  Always. 

3.  Not  always. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes ;  there  is  nothing  in  the  coun- 
try for  the  boy  but  the  hoe. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  No  success  without  it. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Eventually,  yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Size  him  up,  then  act. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes, 


21.  Laziness. 

22.  Study     history,     physics,     and 
mathematics. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  be  diligent,  be  truth- 
ful, and  work. 


Hon.  John  P.  Hill 

Augusta,  Maine.  Governor  of  Maine. 
President,  Augusta  National  Bank. 
Director,  Kennebec  Savings  Bank  and 
numerous  electric  railway  companies. 


1.  Making  the  most  of  the  oppor- 
tunities which  presented  themselves, 
and  continuous  effort  to  accomplish 
something  and  to  progress.  In  other 
words,  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Everything  depends  upon  the 
boy.  If  he  is  ambitious  and  capable, 
a  city  presents  infinitely  greater 
chances  for  his  ultimate  success. 

6.  No;  not  if  there  are  good  op- 
portunities for  him  at  home. 

7.  No. 

8.  Perhaps  not  absolutely  neces- 
sary; but  what  does  success  count  for 
if  it  involves  the  loss  of  reputation? 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No;  but  success  is  much  more 
likely. 

11.  Ability;  experience  can  be  ac- 
quired. Ability  must  be  inherited, 
though  it  may  be  largely  developed. 

12.  Yes;  no  man  can  have  experi- 
ence at  the  beginning. 

13.  No,  not  as  a  rule,  though  much 
depends  upon  the  character  of  the 
business  he  intends  to  enter. 

14.  No;  not  if  he  intends  to  be  a 
mechanic  only. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  is  bright  and  ambitious 
and  means  to  progress. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes,  if  a  good  opportunity  pre- 
sents itself. 

20.  Not  unless  an  exceptional  op- 
portunity was  offered. 

21.  Inattention  to  business,  though 
bad  judgment  and  extravagance  are 
frequently  contributing  causes.  The 
intelligent,  determined  worker  is  most 
likely  to  succeed. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


i8i 


22.  Bible,  Pilgrim's  Progress,  Ban- 
croft's History  of  the  United  States, 
Dickens'  History  of  England,  Irving's 
Life  of  Washington,  Robinson  Crusoe. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  If  you  would  succeed,  be  honest, 
industrious,  and  prudent.  Make  the 
most  of  your  opportunities. 


Horace  G.  Burt 

Omaha,  Neb.    President,  Union  Pa- 
cific R.R. 


I.  Application.    Work,  work,  work, 
work,  work,  work. 
3.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes!  yes!!  yes  I II 
10.  Not  necessarily. 
12.  Yes. 

16.  Most  professions,  yes. 

21.  Lack  of  intelligent  application. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  Integrity  of  purpose  and  per- 
sistent application  remove  most  ob- 
stacles to  success  in  any  calling. 
With  these  a  proper  education  is 
bound  to  be  had,  either  with  or  with- 
out a  college  training,  and  a  large 
measure  of  success  achieved. 


Hon.  George  F.  Seward 

New  York  City.  President,  Fidelity 
&  Casualty  Co.  Vice-president,  Will- 
son  Aluminum  Co.  Diplomatist.  Ex- 
United  States  Minister  to  China. 
Writer  on  political  and  economic  sub- 
jects. 


1.  The  disposition  to  do  well  what- 
ever my  hands  have  found  to  do. 
Faith  in  myself  and  faith  in  my  fellow- 
men.  The  intent  to  be  useful.  The 
taking  of  long  views.  Absolute  pa- 
tience under  all  circumstances.  Gen- 
erous co-operation  with  others.  The 
fitting  of  means  to  ends.  The  avoid- 
ance of  all  speculations. 

2.  As  a  parent,  I  would  try  to  ascer- 
tain what  the  boy  is  best  fitted  to  do. 
His  preferences  would  be  given  full 
consideration,  with  knowledge  that 
they  may  or  may  not  be  indications  of 
fitness  for  the  work  preferred  by  him. 


3.  No.  A  person  of  good  all-round 
ability  may  follow  any  one  of  many 
employments  with  full  success.  Char- 
acter counts  for  very  much,  as  does 
the  capacity  for  sustained  effort. 

4.  No  parent,  perhaps,  would  act 
judiciously,  who  forced  his  son  to  any- 
thing. A  parent  should  lead  or  guide, 
not  exercise  arbitrary  authority. 

5.  Not  to  a  great  city,  but  probably 
to  a  town.  The  young  man  of  ability 
can  graduate  later  to  a  great  city  and 
do  so  without  eventual  loss  of  time. 

6.  See  answer  to  No.  5. 

8.  Certainly.  It  is  the  underlying 
fundamental  thing. 

9.  Reasonable  application,  persist- 
ently followed  up.    No  overwork. 

10.  A  man  may  love  work  without 
having  a  special  love  for  the  kind  of 
work  he  is  doing.  He  is  not  likely  to 
succeed  reasonably  unless  he  takes 
interest  in  work. 

11.  No  amount  of  ability  is  fully 
sufficient  without  experience;  no 
amount  of  experience  without  ability. 

12.  Yes;  for  the  person  of  ability 
can  be  guided  by  his  observation  of 
the  experience  of  others. 

13.  If  it  can  be  managed,  A  good 
education  is  always  desirable. 

14.  Yes;  for  he  may  thus  fit  himself 
for  the  higher  work  of  his  profession. 

15.  Certainly. 

16.  By  all  means,  if  he  can  manage 
it. 

17.  It  is  not  desirable  to  force  a  boy. 
Lead  him.    Guide  him. 

18.  The  ordinary  boy  often  is  the 
most  successful  in  the  end.  He  needs 
more  guidance  at  the  start. 

19.  As  a  rule,  it  is  better  for  a  man 
to  work  for  himself. 

20.  It  might  be  wise  sometimes. 

21.  Lack  of  practical  judgment 
united  with  lack  of  character. 

22.  The  best  as  respects  his  choice 
of  work, 

23.  Yes,  with  discrimination  as  to 
the  matter. 

24.  As  a  rule,  yes;  a  good  father 
will  be  more  helpful  to  him  than 
another  employer. 

25.  Never  take  the  first  wrong  step. 
Be  faithful.  Be  helpful  in  the  line  of 
duty.  Merit  success  by  deserving  it. 
Learn  to  labor  and  to  wait.  Be  a  man 
in  every  fiber  and  every  quality.  Be 
true  in  every  relationship.  Look  for 
the  silver  lining  behind  the  cloud. 
"  The  seeming  ills  are  often  loves  in 
dim  disguise." 


l82 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Paul  Dana 

New  York  City.  Editor-in-Chief, 
New  York  Sun  and  New  York  Eve- 
ning Sun. 


1.  Favorable  circumstances,  train- 
ing, and  talents. 

2.  Why  not? 
3-  No. 

4.  It  may  be. 

5.  Success  comes  from  other  things 
than  "  business." 

6.  Same  comment. 

8.  Is    the    safe-cracker    who   gets 
away  "successful?" 

9.  Success  may  come  with  a  turn  of 
the  wheel. 

10.  No. 

11.  Both. 

12.  Perhaps 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Very  likely. 

19.  Very  likely. 

20.  Probably  not. 

21.  Entering  upon  business  beyond 
ability  to    manage,  as    the    Quakers 


say 


22.  The  next  six  he  hasn't  read. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  good  and  keep  going. 


Hon.  William  W.  Crapo 

New  Bedford,  Mass.  President, 
Wamsutta  Cotton  Mills.  President, 
New  Bedford  Institution  for  Savings. 


1.  Carefully  considered  plans,  un- 
dertaken with  confidence  and  prose- 
cuted with  willing,  persistent,  and 
strenuous  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  I  do  not. 

5.  This  depends  upon  the  tempera- 
ment, ability,  and  ambition  of  the 
boy. 

6.  No;  the  average  opportunities  in 
a  progressive  town  or  small  city  excel 
those  of  the  great  cities.  If  a  boy 
cannot  succeed  in  a  progressive  town, 
he  is  likely  to  come  to  grief  in  a  large 
city. 


8.  Absolutely  essential. 

9.  Yes. 

ID.  Success  never  comes  to  the  man 
who  dislikes  his  work. 

13.  Yes.  If  he  has  the  time  and 
means,  a  college  training  will  be  of 
advantage  to  him. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No ;  the  unwilling  boy  who  is  sent 
to  college  to  gratify  family  sentiment, 
or  in  the  expectation  of  social  advan- 
tages, wastes  time  and  money  and  is 
harmed  rather  than  benefited  by  the 
experience. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes;  he  becomes  more  earnest 
and  self-reliant  when  working  for  him- 
self. 

2a  Not  on  borrowed  capital  exclu- 
sively. He  had  better  wait  awhile  and 
save  something  out  of  his  salary. 

21.  Lack  of  personal  attention  to  de- 
tails, and  ignorance  whether  one  is 
pushing  ahead  or  remaining  behind. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Not  under  his  father's  supervis- 
ion. A  stranger  can  better  enforce 
rules  and  discipline. 

25.  Success  in  life  calls  for  good  citi- 
zenship, true  manhood,  and  Christian 
character.  To  gain  it  requires  stout 
hands,  a  clever  brain,  and  a  brave, 
pure  heart. 


George  G.  Williams 

New  York  City.  President,  Chemi- 
cal National  Bank.  Director  in  numer- 
ous financial  and  charitable  institu- 
tions. 


1.  Faithfulness,  and  the  favor   of 
Providence. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  entirely. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  unless  he  has  enough  firm- 
ness of  character  to  resist  temptation. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  It  is  imperative. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  entirely  so,  if  he  has  force 
of  character  enough  to  be  faithful. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Yes,  if  faithful  enough  to  gain 
experience. 

13.  Yes,  if  circumstances  fa,vort 

14.  No. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


183 


15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Unfaithfulness. 

22.  The  Bible,  Paradise  Lost,  Irv- 
ing's  Sketch  Book,  Shakespeare,  Life 
of  Franklin,  Persuasives  to  Early- 
Piety. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Aim  at  perfect  uprightness  under 
all  circumstances. 


22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Scott's 
Poems,  Tennyson,  The  Tale  of  Two 
Cities,  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin;  to  which 
add  histories  of  Greece,  Rome,  Eng- 
land, and  United  States. 

23.  Yes,  provided  he  did  not  spend 
too  much  time  at  it. 

25.  Stick  to  your  job;  do  honest 
work;  give  to  it  your  best  ability;  lend 
a  hand  wherever  you  can  help  others. 


Edwin  P.  Seaver 

Boston,   Mass.     Superintendent    of 
Boston  Public  Schools. 


1.  Sticking  to  the  things  I  have  un- 
dertaken to  do  until  they  are  thor- 
oughly done  to  the  best  of  my  ability, 
and  being  careful  not  to  have  ' '  too 
many  irons  in  the  fire,"  at  one  time. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  always;  sometimes  the  call- 
ing becomes  unexpectedly  interesting. 

4.  No. 

5.  Alone  and  friendless,  no.  Under 
favorable  conditions,  yes. 

6.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  5. 

7.  Depends  on  the  cause  of  the  dis- 
like. More  boys  could  be  interested 
in  farming  if  properly  handled. 

8.  What  do  you  mean  by  business 
success?  True  success  can  only  be  won 
by  strict  honesty,  but  great  riches 
have  often  been  acquired  dishonestly. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Which  blade  of  the  scissors  cuts 
the  more  ? 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes  and  no;  much  depends  on 
the  boy  and  his  circumstances. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  It  is  hardly  worth  while  to  advise 
such  a  boy.  Put  him  at  anything  he 
can  be  made  to  stick  to. 

19.  Yes,  unless  other  circumstances 
are  decidedly  unfavorable. 

20.  Hardly,  unless  other  circum- 
stances were  decidedly  favorable. 

21.  The  desire  to  make  money  too 
fast. 


Hon.  Thomas  R.  Bard 

Hueneme,  Cal.  United  States  Sena- 
tor. 


1.  Diligence  and  prompt  use  of  op- 
portunities presented. 

2.  Yes,  but  only  after  consultation 
with  parent,  guardian,  or  faithful 
friend.  Distinction  should  be  made 
between  ''preference"  and  boyish 
fancy. 

3.  No,  except  in  art;  a  boy's  likes 
or  dislikes  are  rarely  consequential. 

4.  No. 

5.  Only  in  cases  where  the  chosen 
career  requires  advantages  and  oppor- 
tunities which  the  great  city  afford  for 
training  or  education. 

6.  No,  except  for  reasons  given 
under  No.  5. 

7.  His  dislike  of  such  work  is  of 
itself  insufficient  reason  for  allowing 
to  choose  another  occupation. 

8.  Absolutely  necessary. 

9.  Absolutely,  yes. 

10.  Not  generally,  if  some  particu- 
lar work  is  referred  to.  He  must, 
however,  love  work  for  the  work's 
sake. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Sometimes. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  the  expense 
of  time  and  money.  This  will  depend 
upon  his  opportunities  to  enter  busi- 
ness under  favorable  circumstances. 
He  can  afford  the  expense  if  assured 
that  he  may  succeed  his  father  after 
getting  also  a  business  training  suffi- 
cient to  qualify  him  for  the  business. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes,  when  quite  young. 

16.  Certainly,  yes. 

17.  Sometimes  it  is. 

18.  A  business. 

19.  Yes,  by  all  means. 

20.  Rarely,  and  only  when  the  op- 
portunity is  exceptionally  good. 

21.  Lack  of  character. 


i84 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


22.  The  Bible,  first. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  true  to  thyself.  Be  faithful 
to  every  interest  entrusted  to  you. 
Lay  aside  a  large  part  of  your  savings, 
but  give  liberally.  Use  money  intelli- 
gently; squander  none  of  it.  Prepare 
yourself  for  enjoying  life  after  your 
retirement  from  business,  by  mental 
culture,  avoiding  evil  or  mischievous 
habits,  and  acquiring  a  taste  for  liter- 
ature, music,  and  the  arts. 


Edward  Lauterbach 

New  York  City.  Lawyer.  Member 
of  law  firm  of  Hoadly,  Lauterbach  & 
Johnson.  Vice-president  and  director, 
Maurice  Grau  Opera  Co.  Vice-presi- 
dent and  counsel  to  Pacific  Mail 
Steamship  Co.  Director  in  several 
New  York  street  railway  companies. 


1.  "  There  is  a  tide  in  the  affairs  of 
men,  which  taken  at  the  flood,  leads 
on  to  fortune."  I  have  watched  for, 
and  taken  energetic  advantage  of, 
flood  tides. 

2.  Certainly. 

3.  Not  necessarily. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  or  to  some  other  county  dis- 
trict with  broader  prospects. 

6.  No. 

7.  If  his  prospects  on  the  farm  are 
good,  the  desire  for  city  life  should 
not  be  too  readily  acquiesced  in. 

8.  Of  course. 

9.  Certainly. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Only  measurably. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  if  the  course  be  not  too  pro- 
longed. 

15.  Certainly. 

16.  Undoubtedly. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  application.  Succumb- 
ing to  adverse  situations  instead  of 
overcoming  them, 

22.  The  Bible;  Shakespeare;  Par- 
sons on  Contracts,  and  Benjamin  on 
Sales,  even  if  the  boy  does  not  intend 
to  be  a  lawyer;  Dickens;  any  good 
history  of  the  United  States. 


23.  Certainly. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Select  your  vocation  with  regard 
to  your  qualifications  rather  than  your 
liking;  follow  it  assidiiously.  Be  opti- 
mistic, not  pessimistic,  so  as  to  rise 
superior  to  discouragement. 


Hon.  William  H.  Moody 

Washington,    D.    C.      Secretary    of 
the  Navy. 


2.  Yes;  first  ascertaining  that  he 
has  the  qualifications  which  are 
needed. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability  is  essential;  experience 
merely  contributes. 

12.  No,  but  ability  plus  opportunity 
always  gives  experience. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Sometimes,  up  to  a  certain  point. 
21.  Lack  of  industry,  which  may  be 

the  result  of  different  causes. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Other  things  being  equal,  yes. 


Jacob  A.  Riis 


New  York  City.  Journalist.  Author. 
Reformer.  Philanthropist.  Was  ex- 
ecutive officer,  Good  Government 
Clubs,  New  York.  Active  in  instituting 
municipal  improvements  to  benefit 
the  city  poor. 


1.  {a)  My  wife,  (d  )  Stickativeness, 
I  suppose,  but  from  the  ordinary  busi- 
ness point  of  view  I  have  not  been  "  a 
success."    I  am  still  a  poor  man. 

2.  If  he  has  any,  yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  Certainly  not. 

5.  Every  tub  must  stand  on  its  own 
bottom;  if  he  feels  he  must  go,  let  him 
go. 

6.  I  hate  "  going  to  a  great  city," 
but  my  hates  don't  run  the  world.  I 
would  always  discourage  it;  if  he 
must  go,  he  will  not  be  discouraged. 

7.  Let  them  try  to  make  him  like  it. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


i8s 


8.  Without  doubt. 

9.  1    do;    without  it    nothing    will 
come  right. 

10.  Even  so. 

11.  Depends  on  the  ability. 

12.  The  right  kind,  yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Certainly  not;  one  reason  why 
we  have  so  many  college-bred  dunces. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  I  should  think  so. 

20.  No,  never. 

21.  Lack  of  gumption;  would  rather 
loaf  physically  or  mentally. 

22.  John  Halifax  is  one  book.  The 
boy  should  know  his  Bible,  first. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  Roosevelt's  advice : ' '  Don't  flinch 
and  fool;  stub  the  line  hard;"  and  his 
life  rule,  "Better  be  faithful  than 
famous." 


the  end  sought  and  to  exercise  proper 
self-denial  in  seeking  it. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Pilgrim's 
Progress,  Greene's  History  of  the 
English  People,  Tom  Brown's  School 
Days,  Macaulay's  Essays. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  It  depends  upon  the  character  of 
the  father. 

25.  When  you  undertake  a  thing,  be 
sure  you  are  right,  and  stick  to  it. 


Hon.  Charles  H.  Simonton 

Charleston,  S.  C.  United  States 
Circuit  Court  Judge.  Chairman,  Com- 
mission on  City  Public  Schools.  Law- 
yer.   Author. 


1.  That  I  was  thrown  on  my  own 
resources,  unaided  by  kind  friends, 
and  chiefly  to  the  Divinity  which 
shapes  our  ends. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No;  many  succeed  without  such 
pronounced  preference. 

4.  I  consider  it  unwise  in  the  ex- 
treme. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  I  would  advise  him  to  begin  at 
home. 

7.  No. 

8.  I  do;  construing  the  word  suc- 
cess broadly. 

9.  It  is  the  most  important  factor. 

10.  To  attain  excellence,  yes. 

11.  Ability,  for  experience  can  be 
acquired. 

12.  No. 

13.  No. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  No. 

18.  To  enter  a  trade. 

19.  I  would. 

20.  I  would. 

21.  Failure  to  keep  steadily  in  mind 


Joseph  Jefferson,  A.M. 

Buzzard's  Bay,  Mass.    Actor, 
thor. 


Au- 


1.  A  love  for  my  profession,  a  full 
realization  of  its  usefulness,  and  (as 
far  as  I  was  able)  doing  my  best  to 
keep  my  faith  with  the  public. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes,  most  certainly. 

4.  Certainly  not. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No;  no  one  can  do  well  what  they 
do  not  like. 

8.  Most  certainly. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Equally  important.  , 

12.  Not  great  success. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Certainly. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  When  he  clearly  sees  his  way, 
yes. 

20.  No ;  borrowed  capital  is  demoral- 
izing. 

21.  Indolence  and  vanity. 

22.  Herbert  Spencer  on  Education; 
Intellectual  Life,  by  Gilbert  Hamerton. 
In  mature  age  I  would  advise:  Shake- 
speare, Pope,  the  Koran,  Confucius, 
and  the  Bible. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  On  general  principles,  yes. 

25.  Avoid  evil  influences;  restrain 
your  passions;  injure  no  man,  and 
particularly  injure  no  woman.  There 
is  no  armour  like  the  truth;  it  com- 
mands the  respect  of  all  men  and 
strengthens  courage.  Do  all  the  good 
you  can  consistent  with  self-preserva- 
tion. Read  the  advice  of  Polonius  to 
his  son  in  Hamlet. 


i86 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


E.  B.  Morris 

Philadelphia,  Pa.    President,  Girard 
Trust  Co. 


2. 

Yes. 

3- 

No. 

4. 

No. 

5. 

Yes. 

6. 

No. 

8. 

Of  course. 

9- 

Yes. 

10. 

Yes. 

13. 

No. 

14. 

No. 

15' 

Yes. 

16. 

Yes. 

17- 

No. 

19. 

Yes. 

25. 

Make 

up 

your 

mind 

what 

you 

want  to  do, 

then  master  it, 

,  and  stick 

to  it. 

Captain  Samuel  C.  Lemly 

Washington,  D.  C.    Judge  Advocate 
General,  United  States  Navy. 


cents  Abroad  (Twain),  a  good  histor 
of  his  own  country. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Not  unless  he  had  a  decided  pre! 
erence  for  it. 

25.  I  stand  by  the  flag. 


James  H.  Canfield,  A.M.,  LL.E 

New  York  City.  Librarian,  Colun 
bia  University.  Formerly  Presidem 
Ohio  State  University.  Ex-Presider 
Kansas  and  Nebraska  State  Teacheri 
Associations  and  National  Educf 
tional  Association. 


1.  So  far  as  my  career  may  be 
designated  a  success,  to  (a)  good 
luck;  (d)  energy  and  perseverance. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  a  boy  of  grit 

6.  No. 

7.  No,  if  he  has  a  bent  in  other 
directions. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  In  a  measurable  degree  only. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Business  probably,  though  he 
would  never  make  a  pronounced  suc- 
cess in  such  case,  in  any  of  the  three 
callings  named. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  grit. 

22.  The  Holy  Bible,  The  Man  With- 
out a  Country  (Hale),  The  Book  of 
Snobs,  Thackeray,  Shakespeare,  Inno- 


1.  To  the  more  than  kindly  Prov 
dence,  which,  all  my  life,  has  seeme 
to  hold  open  to  me  the  door  of  oppoi 
tunity;  to  my  father,  who  gave  m 
every  possible  preparation  for  wha 
ever  life-work  was  to  be  mine;  to  m 
wife,  who  has  always  been  an  inspin 
tion  to  higher  life;  and  to  a  host  c 
friends,  whose  helpfulness  and  affec 
tionate  appreciation  cannot  be  e: 
pressed  by  any  words  of  mine. 

2.  Yes,  if  the  boy  is  16  years  old  an 
upwards,  which  is  an  arbitrary  ag( 
of  course,  and  undoubtedly  has  sora 
exceptions. 

3.  I  think  not,  in  this  country.  W 
are  a  shifty  and  resourceful  peopL 
and  a  man  is  still  quite  apt  to  find  hi 
true  place  by  trying  several  places  an 
being  tried  m  these. 

4.  Rarely,  if  ever;  probably,  neve 

5.  Better,  perhaps,  to  a  progressi\ 
town,   and  grow  up  to,   and  into, 
great  city,  if  his  ambition  leads  to  th 
latter. 

6.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  5. 

7.  No;  but  same  answer  as  to  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  To  be  most  successful,  yes. 

11.  They  are  the  blades  of  a  pair  ( 
shears,  but  you  can  begin  without  e: 
perience  (naturally);  hardly  withou 
at  least,  latent  ability. 

12.  Ability  cannot  exercise  itse 
without  gaining  experience;  you  cai 
not  separate  the  two,  though  one  ma 
be  at  maximum  and  the  other  at  min 
mum. 

13.  That  depends  largely  upon  ti 
boy;  generally,  yes. 

14.  To  college  or  to  technical  schoc 

15.  Yes. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


187 


16.  Yes. 

17.  If  you  give  *'  force  "  its  full  mean- 
ing, no. 

18.  I  would  urge  him  to  carry  his 
education  far  enough  to  enable  him  to 
find  out  something  about  himself. 
Most  of  our  extraordinary  men  have 
been  "  ordinary  boys." 

19.  Yes,  unless  he  can  attach  himself 
to  some  large  concern,  highly  organ- 
ized, in  a  responsible  position,  where 
the  responsibilities  would  exceed  those 
of  independent  business  as  he  would 
probably  conduct  it,  and  the  chances 
for  advancement  were  equally  good. 

20.  Very  carefully,  though  I  draw  a 
line  between  ordinary  business  credits 
and  "  borrowed  capital."  See  answer 
to  No.  19. 

21.  Ignorance  and  indolence  and  im- 
patience, rolled  into  one  great  cause. 

23.  Yes,  underscoring  good. 

24.  Never,  unless  the  father's  influ- 
ence in  the  concern  is  so  slight  as  to 
have  no  bearing  whatever  on  the  boy's 
work  and  relations  to  others,  or  un- 
less the  father  is  in  some  way  so  crip- 
pled as  to  actually  need  the  boy. 
After  the  boy  has  won  success  else- 
where, he  might  join  his  father,  but 
rather  doubtful  even  then. 

25.  "Believe  in  God  and  in  your- 
selves; remember  that  all  at  it,  and 
all  the  time  at  it,  surely  wins;  fear 
nothing  except  meanness  and  wicked- 
ness; strike  twelve  every  time." 

Remarks.  See  my  little  book,  "The 
College  Student  and  His  Problems," 
Macmillan  Co.,  New  York. 


Hon.  Charles  T.  Saxton 

Clyde,  N.  Y.  Presiding  Judge,  New 
York  State  Court  of  Claims.  Ex- 
Lieutenant-Governor  of  New  York. 


I.  This  is  a  question  that  is  difficult 
to  answer  in  a  few  words,  but  looking 
backward  upon  my  own  life,  it  seems 
to  me  that  such  little  success  as  I  have 
achieved  was  due  largely  to  the  habit 
of  wide  and  varied  reading  which  I 
formed  when  a  youth,  coupled  with 
the  knowledge  of  human  nature  and 
actual  life  I  acquired  during  several 
years'  service  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil 
War  before  I  was  20  years  old.  Of 
course,  such  an  experience  is  unusual, 
and  I  mention  it  merely  to  illustrate 
any  opinion  that  the  best  guaranty  of 


success  is  to  be  found,  not  only  in  a 
studious  habit,  but  also  in  constant 
contact  with  one's  fellows  and  close 
observation  of  every-day  affairs. 

2.  If  the  boy  has  a  decided  prefer- 
ence for  a  particular  trade,  business, 
or  profession,  there  is  a  fair  presump- 
tion that  he  is  peculiarly  adapted  to 
it,  and  therefore  the  preference  ought 
to  be  given  considerable  weight;  but 
we  can  hardly  expect  a  boy  to  have 
such  knowledge  of  himself  as  to  make 
him  a  safe  judge  in  such  a  vital  mat- 
ter. Usually  a  man  of  wide  experience 
and  good  sense  is  better  able  to  form 
a  sound  judgment  as  to  what  is  best 
for  a  boy  than  he  is  himself,  and  yet  a 
very  decided  preference  for  a  certain 
pursuit  ought  to  be  considered  very 
carefully  in  determining  this  question. 

3.  No;  a  youth  may  have  a  pro- 
nounced preference  for  a  certain  call- 
ing and  yet  be  much  better  adapted 
to  another. 

4.  No. 

5.  It  all  depends  upon  the  boy. 
Those  born  in  the  country  are  to-day 
among  the  great  business  and  profes- 
sional men  in  our  large  cities,  but,  of 
course,  they  are  the  select  few  —  those 
who  had  the  moral  and  mental  quali- 
ties that  conquer  success  in  any  field 
and  under  any  circumstances.  Never- 
theless, in  my  opinion,  the  average 
country  boy  is  better  off  on  the  farm, 
or  in  the  village,  where  he  can  begin 
a  small  business  or  procure  employ- 
ment of  a  clerical  nature. 

6.  No,  unless  he  is  an  exceptional 
boy,  who  feels  within  him  the  power 
to  conquer  all  circumstances  and  rise 
to  great  position. 

7.  No. 

8.  By  all  means. 

9.  Certainly ;  there  can  be  no  suc- 
cess without  it. 

10.  Yes,  the  man  who  does  not  like 
his  work  will  be  almost  sure  to  shirk  it. 

11.  There  must  be  natural  ability  as 
a  foundation,  but  the  superstructure 
must  be  composed  of  the  knowledge 
and  wisdom  that  experience  brings. 

12.  No,  except  as  the  experience  will 
reinforce  the  ability. 

13.  That  depends.  I  think  that  edu- 
cation, even  although  it  may  not  ma- 
terially help  in  business,  tends  to 
expand  the  mind  and  open  up  broader 
avenues  of  opportunity  and  happiness ; 
but  if  one  who  expects  to  enter  upon 
a  business  career  contemplates  going 
through  college,  in  a  perfunctory  way 


i88 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


and  for  the  purpose  of  securing  an  or- 
namental degree,  his  time  might  better 
be  employed  in  mastering  the  subjects 
that  will  aid  him  in  the  pursuit  he  is 
to  follow. 

14.  I  certainly  would  not  advise  him 
to  take  a  classical  course. 

15.  I  would  advise  him  to  do  that 
above  all  things. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  That  depends  upon  his  bent  of 
mind.  I  have  seen  ordinary  boys 
succeed  fairly  in  business  and  pro- 
fessional life,  but  there  must  always 
be  enough  ambition  to  furnish  motive 
power. 

19.  Yes,  if  his  experience  is  broad 
enough,  and  if  he  is  prudent,  economi- 
cal, and  conservative. 

20.  No.  If  he  has  a  fair  salary,  he 
might  better  keep  his  place  until  he 
has  accumulated  sufficient  capital  to 
start  in  a  small  way,  but,  of  course, 
the  exceptional  man  will  succeed  even 
upon  borrowed  capital. 

21.  Lax  habits,  which  almost  invari- 
ably lead  to  speculative  and  gambling 
investments,  not  only  of  the  investor's 
funds,  but  also  of  those  that  are  in- 
trusted to  him. 

22.  I  assume  that  all  boys  who  care 
at  all  about  reading  will  read  the 
Bible,  and  sooner  or  later  the  dramas 
of  Shakespeare.  When  I  was  a  youth, 
I  found  the  greatest  inspiration,  as  I 
recall,  from  David  Copperfield,  Ma- 
caulay's  History  of  England,  Motley's 
Rise  of  the  Dutch  Republic,  Colton's 
Life  of  Henry  Clay,  Wirt's  Life  of 
Patrick  Henry,  and  Tennyson's  Poems. 

23.  Yes ;  he  should  keep  abreast  of 
current  history  and  thought. 

24.  Of  course,  that  depends  upon 
circumstances,  but  as  a  matter  of 
fact  many  boys  inherit  the  talents  of 
their  fathers,  and  besides  are  brought 
up  in  the  atmosphere  and  among  the 
traditions  of  the  paternal  business  or 
profession.  It  is  better  for  such  boys 
to  carry  on  the  business  to  which  they 
have  become  in  some  degree  familiar. 

25.  Bebrave,  honest,  and  kind;  loyal 
to  your  friends  and  faithful  in  the 
discharge  of  your  public  duties.  Learn 
all  you  can,  but  remember  that  the 
aim  of  education  is  not  so  much  to 
acquire  knowledge  as  to  get  wisdom. 
It  is  better  to  be  a  good,  honorable, 
true,  and  loving  man  than  it  is  to 
achieve  great  fame  or  build  up  a  colos- 
sal fortune. 


Wm.  R.  Harper,  Ph.D.,  LL.D. 

Chicago,  111.    President,  University 
of  Chicago.    Author. 


1.  Hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessarily;    a   little   expe- 
rience often  changes  ideas. 

5.  Under     certain     circumstances, 
yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Discrimination  difl&cult. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes. 
23.  Yes. 


Hon.  Charles  V.  Bardeen 

Madison,    Wis.      Justice,    Supreme 
Court,  State  of  Wisconsin. 


1.  First,  to  the  advice  of  my  father 
and  the  helpful  assistance  of  my 
mother,  all  leading  to  the  end  that  one 
should  be  industrious,  economical, 
and  honest.  My  success  seems  to 
have  depended  largely  upon  the  im- 
pression people  had  that  I  was  indus- 
trious, could  be  depended  on,  could 
be  found  in  my  office  when  wanted, 
and  that  business  was  done  with 
promptness. 

2.  Most  certainly. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Depends  on  the  boy;  as  a  rule, 
no.     There  are  exceptions. 

6.  No. 

7.  As  a  general  proposition,  no. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Success    without    experience   is 
accidental. 

13.  Yes,  as  a  general  rule. 

14.  If  he  has  the  means. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Most  certainly. 

17.  No. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


189 


18.  Generally  a  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Want  of  thrift. 

22.  Shakespeare,  Mythology,  Ma- 
caulay,  Adam  Bede,  Studies  in  Social 
Life,  Bible. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  economical,  and  in- 
dustrious in  all  you  do.  Be  temper- 
ate in  your  habits,  punctual  in  your 
business,  and  put  a  bridle  on  your 
tongue. 


Prof,  E.  A.  Puertes,  Ph.D.,  C.E. 

Ithaca,  N.  Y.  Director,  College  of 
Civil  Engineering,  and  Professor, 
Sanitary  Engineering,  Cornell  Uni- 
versity. Was  director  of  public  works, 
Western  District  of  Island  of  Puerto 
Rico,  and  Engineer,  Croton  Aqueduct 
Board,  New  York. 


Frederick  D.  Underwood 

City.    President,    Erie 


New    York 
Railroad. 


1.  Opportunity,  industry,  a  reputa- 
tion for  honesty. 

2.  Yes,  if  he  has  a  decided  and  wise 
one. 

3.  No.  Ability  to  cope  with  vary- 
ing conditions  governs. 

4.  No. 

5.  No,  unless  especially  qualified. 

6.  No,  not  until  he  has  made  a 
start;  green  boys  and  men  are  surplus 
in  big  cities. 

7.  No  boy  likes  farming  at  the 
start,  and  he  needs  to  be  cultivated  in 
his  likes  and  dislikes. 

8.  I  do. 

9.  Intelligent  rather  than  persis- 
tent. 

10.  No,  he  need  only  to  be  apt  in  it. 

11.  Ability;  experience  not  always 
essential. 

12.  Yes,  often  requires  several  starts. 

13.  If  he  can,  and  has  patience. 

14.  No,  a  technical  school. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  has  brains. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Depends  upon  conditions  of  loan. 

21.  Ignorance  of  present  and  coming 
conditions,  lack  of  energy,  and  lying. 

22.  A  good  sacred  history,  a  good 
ancient  history,  a  good  modern  his- 
tory, a  good  work  on  travel,  a  good 
work  on  etiquette,  a  good  rhetoric, 
good  fiction. 

23.  No;  they  are  ruinous. 

25.  Be  sober,  honest,  industrious, 
mindful  of  the  rights  of  others,  polite 
at  all  times. 


1.  Whatever  measure  of  success  I 
have  attained  has  been  due,  first,  to 
the  "Golden  Rule,"  and  mainly,  to 
strict  attention  to  business,  unflinch- 
ing perseverance,  and  the  absence,  as 
far  as  possible,  of  selfishness. 

2.  A  boy's  preference  is  a  very 
changeable  quantity  for  lack  of  matur- 
ity, but  genius  will  show  its  bent 
early. 

3.  Undoubtedly  success  is  unattain- 
able without  a  pronounced  preference, 
interest,  curiosity,  and  persevering  in- 
dustry. 

4.  No;  the  large  number  of  failures 
among  the  so-called  better  class  of 
boys,  is  due  to  lack  of  wisdom  in  par- 
ents forcing  their  children  to  perform 
uncongenial  tasks. 

5.  Man  is  necessarily  so  gregarious, 
and  so  helpless  alone,  that  he  should 
leave  the  desert  to  labor  in  the  bee- 
hives. 

6.  A  young  man  with  snap  would 
not  be  shut  out  from  the  greater  en- 
terprises by  his  experience  in  a  small 
but  live  community. 

7.  No.  A  good  man  might  be  spoiled 
to  insure  a  poor  farmer. 

8.  Strict  and  absolute  honesty  are 
indispensable  to  success  in  anything. 

9.  Yes  ;  otherwise  laziness  might 
lead  to  success,  which  is  impossible. 

10.  Very  generally  it  is  indispensa- 
ble, but  industrious  persistence  can 
do  a  very  great  deal  and  take  the  place 
of  enthusiasm;  real  love  for  a  partic- 
ular occupation  is,  however,  a  great 
leverage  to  success. 

11.  Both;  but  since  ability  rules  ac- 
tions and  the  usefulness  of  experience, 
the  intellect  must  lead  the  hands  to 
constrain  them  to  become  skilful. 

12.  That  depends  upon  the  field  of 
work,  but  experience  is  a  very  neces- 
sary adjunct  to  success,  in  a  general 
way. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  is  not  spoiled  by  im- 
practicable and  undeveloped  peda- 
gogues. 

14.  Yes.  I  cannot  conceive  of  culture 


ipo 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


without  human  sympathies.  The  un- 
tutored man  is  selfish  and  without  en- 
nobling resources  within  himself. 

15.  Same  as  Nos.  13  and  14. 

16.  By  all  means,  although  judgment 
must  be  exercised.  The  usual  college 
courses  are  too  long  and  the  profes- 
sional courses  too  short.  Our  educa- 
tional lack  of  system  manufactures 
mediocrities  from  young  men  of  tal- 
ent, misdirected  in  the  schools. 

17.  I  do  not  think  unreasoning  coer- 
cion has  ever  done  boys  or  older  men 
any  good.  The  boy  who  refuses  to  be 
educated  because  he  is  stupid  or  in- 
capable might  yet  be  useful  in  a  large 
number  of  callings  that  demand  small 
intellectual  training. 

18.  An  ordinary  boy  can  only  do  or- 
dinary work.  If  he  has  no  ambition, 
he  should  be  put  to  a  trade  under  a 
"boss;  "  and  yet,  if  ambition  could  be 
developed  in  him,  he  might  become  a 
business  man.  The  professions  are 
filled  with  ordinary  men,  and  their 
numbers  should  not  be  increased. 

19.  Yes,  for  he  will  then  keep  the 
portion  of  earnings  he  has  been  pre- 
senting to  his  employers. 

20.  His  line  of  action  would  depend 
upon  the  conditions  under  which  he 
borrows  capital;  if  they  are  favorable, 
the  answer  to  No.  19  would  do. 

21.  To  lack  of  energy,  honesty,  and 
ability,  and  an  excess  of  selfishness  or 
vanity. 

22.  I  would  consider  Plutarch's 
Lives,  or  The  Heroes  of  Plutarch,  an 
indispensable  book  for  a  boy,  but  be- 
yond that,  there  are  thousands  of 
books  from  which  it  is  difiicult  to  make 
a  choice. 

23.  The  newspaper  educated  the 
greatest  American  since  Washington, 
but  Lincolns  don't  grow  on  every 
tree.  Good  daily  papers  are  scarce, 
and  boj^s  are  not  apt  to  profit  much  by 
what  might  make  suitable  intellectual 
food  for  men  in  the  University  or  in 
the  world. 

24.  It  is  one  of  the  greatest  mistakes 
made  by  parents,  when  their  boys, 
through  intellectual  inheritance  or 
originality,  prefer  other  occupations, 
to  force  them  into  carrying  on  their 
business,  —  although  it  may  be  neces- 
sary sometimes. 

25.  Support  the  honor  of  your  coun- 
try against  all  hazards,  and  try  hard 
to  be  honest  with  yourself. 

Remarks.  Be  honest;  kindly;  delib- 
erate before  action;  keep  your  tem- 


per; don't  jump  at  conclusions;  be 
hopeful;  respect  other  people's  opin- 
ions; be  truthful;  remember  that  po- 
liteness is  the  investment  that  pays 
the  best  dividend;  do  not  pity  those 
who  differ  from  you  in  opinions;  re- 
member also  that  neither  eloquence 
nor  oratory  can  change  a  man's  opin- 
ions, since  an  opinion  is  the  integrated 
result  of  the  entire  life  relations  of 
the  man;  to  convince  others,  you  must 
bring  about  a  conviction  of  good 
faith  on  your  part,  rather  than  a  con- 
viction of  believing  yourself  correct, 
although  oratory  is  a  portion  of  the 
machinery  to  organize  thought  and 
convince  unprejudiced  minds,  it  is 
effective  only  when  free  from  the  taint 
of  trickery.  Most  men  can  get  along 
nicely  enough  without  forcing  others 
to  change  their  opinions.  Have  faith 
inhuman  nature;  there  are  millions  of 
good  women  and  good  men ;  and  there 
are  no  men  mean  enough,  or  wicked 
enough,  not  to  be  amenable  to  im- 
provement when  they  have  no  reason 
to  mistrust  your  intentions  or  interest 
in  them.  Do  not  expect  perfection  in 
anything  human.  Respect  others,  if 
you  desire  to  be  respected  yourself. 
Try  to  keep  your  mind  as  pure  as 
your  body.  There  are  difficulties  in 
the  way,  and  it  is  not  easy  to  do  it, 
but  nothing  will  be  as  agreeable  and 
profitable  as  to  try  to  keep  your  life 
conscious  of  a  clean  soul  and  a  healthy 
body. 


Hon.  Henry  W.  Bookstaver 

New     York     City.      Lawyer.      Ex- 
judge,  Supreme  Court,  New  York. 


1.  To  careful  preparation,  which 
involves  diligence,  perseverance,  and 
accuracy. 

2.  As  a  rule,  yes,  but  much  de- 
pends on  circumstances  and  oppor- 
tunity. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  That  depends  on  the  boy's  am- 
bition, capacity,  and  energy;  if  with- 
out these  he  would  better  stay  on  the 
farm. 

8.  Yes,  emphatically. 

9.  I  do,  most  emphatically. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


191 


la  While  a  love  for  his  work  is  very- 
important,  it  is  not  essential. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  in  operation  is  expe- 
rience. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  means  and  the 
time  to  do  so. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  By  all  means. 

18.  That  depends  on  his  social  posi- 
tion, his  capacity,  and  his  means.  I 
would  put  such  a  boy  in  a  position 
where  he  would  do  the  least  damage 
to  himself  and  others. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Inattention  to  business. 

22.  The  Bible,  Encyclopedia  Bri- 
tannica,  Shakespeare,  Grimm's  Fairy 
Tales,  Bancroft's  History,  uEsop's 
Fables. 

23.  Yes,  but  not  to  spend  too  much 
time  on  it. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  diligent  in  business. 


Hugh  Craig 


18.  Learn  a  trade  in  any  case. 

19.  No;  rather  await  opportunity 
for  partnership  with  his  principals  or 
employers. 

20.  No;  avoid  borrowed  capital. 

21.  Carelessness  and  indulgence  of 
appetite. 

22.  The  Bible,  learning  any  of  the 
Psalms  by  heart,  and  the  teachings  of 
Jesus;  Shakespeare;  Bums;  Green's 
History  of  the  English;  History  of 
United  States;  good  fiction. 

23.  Certainly;  more  than  one. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  yourself,  asking  your 
Heavenly  Father  to  guide  and  direct 
you  into  the  Truth.  Take  first  em- 
ployment that  offers,  no  matter  how 
humble;  accomplish  the  task  with 
energy,  and  a  better  job  will  surely 
follow.  Employers  and  foremen  are 
looking  for  zealous  lads.  Cultivate 
the  acquaintance  of  good  women  in 
their  homes,  join  them  in  reading  and 
music,  and  at  the  period  when  you  can 
set  up  a  home  of  your  own,  if  only  two 
rooms,  marry  one  of  them,  and  make 
your  home  a  little  heaven  on  earth. 


San     Francisco,     Cal. 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


President, 


1.  (a)  The  precepts  and  example  of 
a  good  father  and  mother,  (d)  and  hav- 
ing to  earn  my  own  living  since  18 
years  of  age. 

2.  Surely. 

3.  No. 

4.  Certainly  not. 

5.  By  all  means  let  him  try  it. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Honesty  is  imperative;  success 
is  graduated. 

9.  Surely. 

10.  No  doubt  about  it,  but  there  is 
always  room  for  broadening. 

11.  Experience  60  %;  ability  40  %. 

12.  Experience  comes  with  years. 

13.  No. 

14.  No;  college  training  should  be 
no  detriment  to  the  right  breed  of 
boy. 

15.  Surely,  if  his  parents  can  afford 
it,  and  the  boy  cannot  obtain  an 
opening  in  a  shop. 

i6.  Certainly,  but  prefer  he  should 
learn  a  trade  to  entering  for  a  profes- 
sion. 

17.  Certainly  not. 


Hon.  Thomas  M.  Patterson 

Denver,  Colo.  United  States  Sena- 
tor. Lawyer.  Editor,  /^ocJ^y  Moun- 
tain News. 


1.  An  earnest  desire  to  succeed, 
and  availing  myself  of  every  honora- 
ble means  to  brmg  about  success. 

2.  Usually,  yes;  without  exception, 
unless  some  physical  disability  exists 
or  the  morality  of  the  occupation  is 
questionable. 

3.  No.  One  may  possess  the  quali- 
ties of  perseverance  and  adaptability 
to  make  him  successful  in  any  calling 
he  is  qualified  to  pursue. 

4.  It  is  not  wise  to  do  so. 

5.  Would  advise  him  to  go  to  a 
city,  or  to  some  rural  locality  conve- 
nient to  a  city,  where,  as  qualities  de- 
veloped, opportunity  would  occur  to 
make  means  available  for  his  good. 

6.  I  would  not;  as  the  boy  grew 
older,  or  after  he  became  a  man,  his 
own  judgment  should  tell  him  whether 
a  large  city  was  desirable. 

7.  Not  if  other  and  congenial  occu- 
pations were  open  to  him. 

8.  It  may  not  be  necessary  to  suc- 
cess, but   success    obtained   without 


192 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


strict  honesty    cannot    be  nearly  so 
gratifying  as  when  it  is. 

9.  Not  absolutely  necessary.  For- 
tuitous happenings  may  bring  success, 
but  that  is  a  very  rare  occurrence. 

10.  I  think  not,  though  the  likelihood 
of  success  in  work  is  greater  and  more 
pronounced  where  one  loves  the  work. 

11.  I  think  ability,  though  neither 
experience  nor  ability  is  likely  to  bring 
about  success  without  other  things  to 
contribute. 

12.  It  certainly  may;  there  are  other 
things  that  may  readily  take  the  place 
of  experience. 

13.  A  college  training  is  highly  bene- 
ficial even  to  men  of  business,  and  if 
time  and  means  permit  the  boy  should 
go  to  college. 

14.  In  general,  the  boy  who  intends 
to  learn  a  mechanical  trade  cannot 
spare  the  time,  and  has  not  the  means, 
to  go  to  college. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  means  and  the 
desire. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  It  may  not  be  against  his  will; 
what  appears  to  be  will  may  be  simply 
disinclination;  disinclination  should 
be  overcome,  if  possible. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  I  think  every  person  should  enter 
upon  an  independent  career  as  soon 
as  possible.  This  applies  to  business 
as  well  as  other  branches  of  endeavor. 

20.  No;  commence  upon  a  single 
dollar's  capital,  if  necessary,  and  keep 
out  of  debt. 

21.  Lack  of  capacity  and  judgment. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  stand- 
ard histories  of  Rome  and  Greece, 
Blackstone's  Commentaries,  and  some 
good  author  on  physical  culture  and 
hygiene. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes  and  no.  The  reason  for  the 
doubt  should  be  apparent. 

25.  Be  pure  in  thought  and  conduct. 
Maintain  good  bodily  health.  Eschew 
evil  companions.  Obtain  as  good  an 
education  as  you  can.  Establish  some 
definite  aim  m  life,  whether  in  trade, 
business,  or  profession,  and  bend  your 
energies  to  succeed.  When  you  can 
support  a  wife,  marry  some  good,  in- 
telligent, and  sympathetic  woman ;  es- 
tablish a  home;  love  and  protect  your 
wife  and  children.  Become  interested 
in  public  matters,  to  do  your  part 
towards  establishing  an  honest,  capa- 
ble public  service.  Work  at  whatever 
you  undertake.    Work,  work,  work. 


Samuel  B.  Capen 

Boston,  Mass.  President,  American 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions  and  Congregational  Sunday 
School  and  Publishing  Society.  Mem- 
ber firm  of  Torrey,  Bright  &  Capen, 
carpets.    Philanthropist. 


2.  Yes,  whenever  possible.  We 
succeed  usually  in  that  in  which  we 
are  interested.  A  young  man  in  our 
store  made  a  failure,  but  when 
changed  into  a  business  which  re- 
quired mechanical  skill  made  a  com- 
plete success. 

3.  Not  necessarily;  a  boy,  by  fidel- 
ity and  earnestness,  may  overcome  all 
obstacles. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  That  depends  upon  whether  he 
shows  any  special  adaptability  to  any- 
thing else.  As  in  No.  2,  he  will  do  his 
best  work  in  that  which  interests  him. 

8.  Yes,  in  the  proper  meaning  of 
"success."  There  may  be  a  superfi- 
cial success  for  a  time  by  dishonest 
methods,  but  in  the  end  it  is  a  failure. 

9.  Yes;  a  young  man  who  is  not 
now  in  dead  earnest  will  certainly 
make  a  failure. 

10.  Ordinarily,  yes. 

11.  Ability,  but  both  are  essential. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes,  we  need  thoroughly  trained 
men  in  modern  business  to  achieve 
the  greatest  success. 

14.  Would  prefer  Institute  of  Tech- 
nology. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  I  would  use  every  possible 
method  of  persuasion,  but  would  stop 
there. 

18.  I  should  think  his  chances  for 
success  would  be  best  in  trade.  The 
boy  with  little  ambition  has  a  poor 
prospect  in  anything. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  It  is  especially  difficult  to  name 
one.  In  many  cases  it  is  lack  of  per- 
sistent earnestness;  in  others  taking 
larger  risks  than  capital  will  warrant ; 
in  others  extravagant  habits. 

22.  The  Bible,  especially  the  Book 
of  Proverbs;  the  best  young  man's 
book;  biographies.  The  young  man 
learns  truth  in  the  concrete  illustra- 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


^93 


tion  of  some  noble  life,  rather  than  in 
abstract  statement. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  it  has  been  a  successful  busi- 
ness, yes.  The  English  merchant  sets 
us  a  good  example  at  this  point. 

25.  Be  scrupulously  faithful  in  every 
detail;  be  full  of  enthusiasm  and 
earnestness;  be  honest  and  true  and 
pure;  avoid  an  unworthy  companion 
or  an  impure  book  las  you  would  the 
pestilence.  Remember  that  a  noble 
character  is  the  largest  suocess. 

*'  Sow  an  act  and  you  reap  a  tendency ; 

Sow  a  tendency  and  you  reap  a  habit ; 

Sow  a  habit  and  you  reap  a  character ; 

Sow  a  character  and  you  reap    a 

destiny." 


Prof.  John  F.  Duggar,  M.S. 

Auburn,  Ala.  Professor  of  Agricul- 
ture, Alabama  Polytechnic  Institute. 
Writer  on  agricultural  subjects. 

1.  Love  for  the  work  in  which  I  am 
engaged;  faith  in  its  usefulness;  dili- 
gence in  continual  preparation  for  it 
and  in  its  execution. 

2.  Yes,  generally,  unless  that  one 
is  dangerous,  speculative,  or  useless, 
or  one  requiring  almost  continuous 
absence  from  one's  family,  present  or 
future. 

3.  Yes,  ultimately,  though  the  love 
for  it  may  not  be  aroused  until  some 
progress  has  been  made  in  preparation 
for  it.  If  it  has  not  then  developed, 
one  should  carefully  examine  himself, 
and  perhaps  choose  again. 

4.  No. 

5.  Depending  on  calling  chosen. 
The  city  is  the  only  place  for  certain 
kinds  of  work.  It  is  well  that  only 
those  with  a  definite  purpose  go  to 
the  large  cities,  though  this  purpose 
may  later  be  exchanged  for  another 
equally  definite  one. 

6.  Depending  on  calling.  The  larger 
city  is  to  be  chosen  only  for  a  definite 
purpose  and  for  distinct  advantage 
offered  in  some  special  line. 

7.  No,  if  the  dislike  persists  after 
he  has  been  sent  to  an  agricultural 
college  to  learn  that  farming  means 
headwork  quite  as  much  as  hard  work. 
On  a  better  farm,  or  with  a  different 
class  of  crops,  his  interest  may  be 
awakened. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Yes. 


10.  Yes,  or  what  is  nearly  the  same" 
thing  and  apt  in  time  to  result  in  love 
for  the  work;  he  must  recognize  its 
usefulness. 

11.  Both  inseparable.  Only  ability 
can  utilize  experience. 

12.  There  must  be  some  experience, 
longer  or  shorter,  depending  on  the 
vocation. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  or  to  a  technical  school  or 
college. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  No.  He  would  waste  his  time. 
Give  him  a  year  of  work,  and  then  an 
opportunity  to  choose  or  reject  a  col- 
lege course. 

18.  A  trade  or  small  business. 

19.  Dependent  on  unknown  condi- 
tions. Salary  is  better  than  a  some- 
what speculative  business.  One  is 
happier  in  working  for  himself  than 
for  another. 

20.  In  farming,  yes;  probably  so  in 
many  lines  of  business  nearly  free 
from  the  speculative  factor. 

21.  In  commercial  life,  the  specula- 
tive tendency;  in  farming,  want  of 
knowledge  of  natural  sciences  and  of 
their  application  to  the  economical 
production  of  plants  and  animals. 

22.  The  Bible,  and  as  many  others  of 
a  serious  nature  as  he  can  afford  time 
for,  especially  in  regard  to  his  calling; 
the  sciences  related  to  it,  economics, 
sociology,  history,  and  poetry,  omit- 
ting fiction,  unless  time  for  reading  is 
abundant. 

23.  Not  important,  except  for  knowl- 
edge of  world  movements.  A  com- 
prehensive weekly  digest  would  save 
time,  which  time,  thus  gained,  could 
be  given  to  books, 

24.  Yes,  unless  rational  inclination 
clearly  prompts  him  to  engage  in  some 
other  calling. 

25.  Success  generally  depends  in 
order  of  importance  on  (a)  character, 
{d)  preparation,  (c)  love. 


John  A.  Mitchell 

New  York  City.  Founder  and  Editor 
of  Li/e.    Artist.    Illustrator.    Author. 


1.  Application    and   love    for    the 
work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  Yes  and  no. 


194 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


5.  Yes. 

6.  Yes  and  no. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes  and  no. 

9.  No. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes  and  no. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes  and  no. 

20.  Yes  and  no. 

21.  Want  of  application. 

22.  Six  good  biographies. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Whatever  you  do,  even  if  rela- 
tively unimportant,  do  it  to  the  best 
of  your  ability.  Get  into  the  habit  of 
it. 


Rev.  Robert  S.MacArthur,  D.D. 

New  York  City.  Pastor,  Calvary 
Baptist  Church.  Author  and  lec- 
turer. 


1.  So  far  as  I  have  had  any  suc- 
cess, I  attribute  it  to  good  health  and 
hard  work.  "Success"  is  not  only  a 
privilege,  but  a  duty.  Every  man  is 
bound  to  make  the  most  of  himself  for 
both  worlds.  Willing^ness  and  ability 
to  do  tremendously  hard  work  is 
genius.  Any  other  conception  of 
genius  makes  it  a  doubtful,  if  not  a 
positively  dangerous  possession. 

2.  Yes,  if  the  boy  is  mature  and  he 
has  a  reasonably  good  education  on 
other  lines  than  the  profession  chosen. 

3.  Yes;  necessary  to  the  highest 
success,  but  earnest  work  and  worthy 
character  will  give  a  man  good  suc- 
cess in  any  profession. 

^.  All  will  depend  upon  the  ma- 
turity of  the  boy's  judgment  and  the 
strength  of  his  preference  together 
with  a  reasonably  broad  general  edu- 
cation. 

5.  Either  to  a  great  city  or  to  a 
moderately  large  town.  The  citjr  to 
such  a  boy  is  itself  capable  of  furnish- 
ing a  valuable  education. 

6.  No;  not  immediately;  let  him 
enter  the  doors  open  in  such  a  town 


and  exhaust  its  opportunities  before 
seeking  openings  elsewhere. 

7.  All  will  depend  upon  local  con- 
siderations. Does  his  father  greatly 
need  him  on  the  farm?  Are  his  dis- 
likes to  the  farm  the  result  of  laziness 
or  of  inherent  adaptability  to  some 
other  work?  Questions  of  this  sort 
will  suggest  the  correct  answer  in 
this  case. 

8.  I  do  with  the  utmost  emphasis. 
In  the  long  run  worthy  character  is 
sure  to  win  the  day. 

9.  Assuredly.  This  is  a  form  of 
genius  absolutely  indispensable  to 
success.  The  most  successful  men 
have  been  the  greatest  workers. 

10.  One  can  create  love  for  his  work 
by  devotion  to  it.  He  can  magnify 
the  lowest  service,  giving  it  dignity, 
honor,  and  glory. 

11.  Experience  is  a  form  of  ability; 
the  highest  success  demands  good 
ability  supplemented  by  wide  experi- 
ence. 

12.  Genuine  ability  will  struggle  on 
until  it  acquires  experience;  the  two 
things  cannot  well  be  separated. 

13.  I  would  most  assuredly.  In  our 
day,  business  men  need  the  broadest 
possible  education.  Business  touches 
life  at  a  score  of  points  where  broad 
culture  is  of  the  utmost  advantage. 

14.  If  possible;  let  him  go  to  college 
in  this  case  also.  It  is  simply  the 
question  of  the  development  of  the 
greatest  possible  degree  of  manhood. 

15.  Yes,  after  he  has  had  the  general 
education  of  an  academic  or  collegiate 
course. 

16.  Most  assuredly.  Many  profes- 
sional men  have  succeeded,  not  be- 
cause of,  but  in  spite  of,  the  absence 
of  a  college  course, 

17.  I  should  earnestly  strive  to  se- 
cure the  consent  of  his  will,  and  I 
should  greatly  pity  him  if  he  were  so 
stupid  as  not  to  will  to  go  to  college. 

18.  Every  boy  ought  to  know  how 
to  do  something,  so  that  thereby  he 
could  earn  a  living. 

19.  The  answer  to  this  question  will 
depend  on  local  conditions.  A  young 
man  most  often  risks  considerable  for 
the  chance  of  gaining  experience  and 
success. 

20.  Very  rarely,  would  I  so  advise. 
The  chances  of  success  would  have  to 
be  almost  certain  before  I  would  give 
such  advice. 

21.  A  small  proportion  to  incompe- 
tency; but  the  greater  to  inadequate 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


195 


preparation,  want  of  application,  and 
extravagant  living. 

22.  The  Bible.  A  good  dictionary; 
even  the  dictionary  ought  to  be  read 
in  course,  or  at  least  daily  studied. 
Shakespeare.  A  volume  of  ancient 
history.  A  volume  of  modern  history. 
A  volume  containing  great  poems, 
ancient,  English,  and  American. 

23.  Yes,  but  sometimes  it  is  better 
for  him  either  to  take  an  evening 
paper  or  to  postpone  the  reading  until 
evening.  A  good  daily  paper  may  be 
called  a  secular  Bible. 

24.  That  would  depend  entirely  upon 
the  father's  necessities  and  the  boy's 
aptitudes.  On  general  principles  I 
should  say,  no. 

25.  Live  clean  lives.  Obey  the  laws 
of  God  as  they  are  written  in  your 
body  as  truly  as  they  are  written  in 
His  book.  Be  pure  in  heart,  clean  of 
lip,  and  honest  in  life.  Trust  God, 
and  do  your  whole  duty  to  yourselves, 
to  your  fellows,  and  to  your  God.  In 
the  words  of  the  Apostle  Paul  to 
Titus  (2:  12),  "  We  should  live  soberly 
(i.  e.  with  proper  self-restraint^,  right- 
eously (that  is  rightly),  and  Godly  in 
this  present  world."  The  word  '''  so- 
berly" refers  to  ourselves,  "right- 
eously" includes  all  our  relations  to 
our  neighbors,  and  "Godly"  our 
duties  to  God. 


W.  J.  Wilgus 


New  York  City.  Chief  Engineer, 
New  York  Central  &  Hudson  River 
R.R. 


1.  Energy,    hard   work,    persever- 
ance, integrity,  and  resourcefulness. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  No,  unless  he  has  marked  apti- 
tude for  special  work. 

6.  Same  as  No.  5. 

7.  Not  if  he  has  aptitude  for  other 
work. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Both  are  needed. 

12.  Same  as  No.  11. 

13.  Depends  on  the  boy;  usually,  no. 

14.  Same  as  No.  13. 

15.  Same  as  No.  13. 


16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade  or  business. 

22.  Plutarch's  Lives,  Shakespeare, 
Macaulay's  Essays,  Scott,  Thackeray, 
Hawthorne. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  shows  aptitude  for  it. 

25.  Be  resourceful,  energetic,  per- 
severing, and  honest,  and  always 
serve  the  best  interests  of  your  em- 
ployer. 


St.  Clair  McKelway,A.M.,U.D. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Editor,  Brooklyn 
Daily  Eagle.  Regent,  University  of 
State  of  New  York.  Director,  Ameri- 
can Social  Science  Association.  Writer 
and  speaker  on  educational,  civic,  and 
historical  subjects. 


I.  To  persistence  in  my  purpose  to 
follow  newspaper  work;  to  a  habit  of 
mastering  the  details  of  all  sorts  of 
writing  on  newspapers;  to  limiting, 
as  far  as  could  be,  my  intimacies  to 
those  who  are  wiser  and  better  than 
the  average  of  folk  in  their  circle 
or  calling;  to  a  belief  that  nearly 
every  man  definitely  knows  at  least 
one  thing  well,  and  to  getting  his 
knowledge  of  that;  to  an  invariable 
declination  of  all  offers  of  political 
preferment;  to  a  conviction  that  in- 
dependence in  journalism  is  the  only 
guarantee  against  finding  it  a  slavery; 
to  not  advancing  in  public  controversy 
propositions  or  language  you  would 
not  advance  in  private  discourse;  to 
writing  for  readers  and  not  for  the 
delectation  or  discomfort  of  other 
editors;  to  a  hospitality  toward  what 
is  both  new  and  true  in  my  business; 
to  a  spirit  of  boyishness  or  youth, 
which  makes  me  the  youngest  man  on 
my  staff,  no  matter  what  my  age;  to 
three  meals  a  day  and  eight  hours' 
sleep  o'  nights;  to  the  treatment  of 
medicine,  theology,  and  politics  as 
things  to  analyze,  not  agonize  about ; 
to  a  life  of  temperance  as  to  liquor, 
and  to  a  rooted  distrust  of  "moods," 
"fads,"  "visions,"  and  "genius"  as 
substitutes  for  hard  work;  to  a  belief 
in  a  Supreme  Being  and  in  the  sum- 
mation of  all  that  is  of  value  in 
religion,  in  the  life  and  words  of 
Christ ;  to  a  union  of  Scotch  faith  and 
Irish  sentiment.  .  . ._  -.-■ 


196 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


2.  Most  decidedly,  if  it  be  a  pursuit 
the  product  of  which  the  world  cannot 
do  without.  If  it  be  one  which  caters 
to  the  luxuries,  the  bo^  should  be  told 
that  less  than  pre-eminence  in  it,  is 
failure. 

3.  Helpful, not  "necessary; "aman 
of  brains,  industry,  and  honesty  can 
win  success  in  a  calling  less  con- 
genial   to    him    than    others    might 

4.  No,  unless  the  boy  wants  to  be 
a  pirate,  a  robber,  a  promoter,  or  the 
like. 

5.  Yes,  unless  he  has  the  gift  of 
devising  something  which  will  create 
a  demand  by  supplying  a  theretofore 
unfilled  want. 

6.  No;  I  would  "advise  him  to  show 
where  he  has  qualities  or  abilities  that 
will  make  great  cities  compete  for 
him. 

7.  That  would  depend  on  what  else 
he  wanted  to  do,  or  be,  and  on  his 
likelihood  of  succeeding,  or  not,  in  it. 

8.  Certainly;  "success"  won  by 
dishonesty  leads  to  the  jail  here  or  to 
hell  beyond. 

9.  I  do. 

10.  Answered  under  No.  5. 

11.  Experience  plus  honesty  and  in- 
dustry. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  "elect"  studies 
there  which  in  part  will  help  him  in 
the  business  he  proposes  to  learn. 

14.  Yes,  to  a  poly  technical  college. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  if  he  can,  and  if  he  cannot, 
neither  to  whine  nor  despair. 

17.  Not  if  "his  will"  is  judgment, 
and  not  loaf-it-ness  or  a  bad  temper. 

18.  A  trade,  for  then  he  will  have 
something  he  can  carry  around  with 
him. 

19.  Yes,  if  it  is  a  business  some 
trust  has  not  monopolized. 

2a  If  the  capitalist  is  a  man  of 
sympathy  and  judgment,  willing  to 
trust  him,  yes. 

21.  To  debt,  idleness,  trickery,  and 
*' drink." 

22.  The  Bible;  Shakespeare's  works ; 
Macaulay's  Essays;  John  Fiske's  his- 
tories; and  Cooper's,  Scott's,  and 
Dickens'  stories;  Franklin's  Autobiog- 
raphy. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No,  because  his  father  will  be 
apt  to  be  too  lenient,  or  too  hard,  with 
him. 

25.  I  would  say,    "Read    my    an- 


swers to  the  foregoing24  questions," 
then  I  would  add:  "Do  not  regard 
success  or  happiness  as  a  thing  to  be 
sought.  Make  each  of  them  a  result 
of  duty  done.  Make  duty  your  pole 
star.  What  is  worth  while  will  follow, 
or  greet  you,  on  that  road." 

Remarks.  Learn  to  control  your 
movements.  Keep  your  hands  and 
your  feet  at  rest  when  you  are  talking. 
Do  not  let  them  get  in  your  way. 
Think  very  little  about  your  "rights." 
Think  very  much  about  your  duty 
and  opportunity.  Have  as  much  con- 
cern for  the  honor,  prosperity,  and 
general  welfare  of  your  employer's 
business  as  he  can  have  for  it  himself. 
Keep  your  mind  as  well  as  your  body 
away  from  bad  company.  Do  not 
read  nasty  books.  Do  not  attend  vile 
plays.  Do  not  willingly  listen  to,  or 
tell,  bawdy  stories.  Tnere  is  plenty 
of  clean  humor  in  the  world.  Pity  a 
man  without  a  sense  of  humor,  and  do 
not  go  into  partnership  with  him. 
Humor  is  as  essential  to  make  life 
worth  living  as  oil  is  to  make  machin- 
ery go  smoothly.  But  make  humor 
your  servant  and  not  your  master. 
Reticence  as  a  rule  is  strength.  If 
you  must  talk,  study  conciseness.  If 
you  should  keep  silence  about  your 
own  afifairs  or  projects,  yet  have  a 
loquacious  habit,  make  fluency  about 
something  else  than  your  projects  or 
affairs,  a  screen  behmd  which  they 
cannot  be  found  out.  If  you  are  not 
a  fool,  and  a  man  thinks  that  you  are 
one,  let  him  think  so,  and  then  he  will 
be  the  fool  and  you  will  not.  Be  care- 
ful about  your  dress,  your  shoes,  your 
hands,  and  your  finger  nails.  Have 
the  first  clean  and  neat,  the  second 
the  same,  the  third  properly  cared  for, 
and  the  fourth  in  good  order.  The 
condition  you  keep  them  in  will  largely 
govern  an  employer's  or  a  customer's 
estimate  of  you.  Go  to  the  church  of 
your  faith  regularly,  and  give  what 
you  can  properly  for  its  support.  Be- 
fore you  criticise  a  preacher  or  lec- 
turer or  actor  think  what  a  poor  fist 
you  would  make  at  his  work,  and  be 
considerate  or  charitable.  Give  every 
man  your  ear  and  few  your  tongue. 
Distrust  "know-alls "and  "cure-alls." 
Do  not  let  a  newspaper  substitute  its 
thinking  for  your  thinking,  but  make 
its  thinking  aid  your  thinking  and 
suggest  what  it  can  to  you.  Do  not 
be  ashamed  to  acknowledge  Jesus 
Christ  before  men.    Be  mighty  glad  if 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


197 


He  will  not  be  ashamed  to  acknowl- 
edge you  before  His  Father  in  Heaven. 
Remember  that  debt  is  the  saddle  on 
which  the  devil  rides  a  man  to  ruin. 
Foster  the  wealth  which  comes  by 
economy  and  savings  and  enterprise, 
and  shun  the  idea  of  wealth  which 
comes  by  speculation  or  "promotion  " 
or  "tips."  Be  liberal  with  your  en- 
couragement of  others  who  deserve 
it.  Approbation  is  the  tonic  which 
keeps  up  the  spirit  of  struggling  merit. 
Do  not  think  that  all  the  virtues 
reside  in  poverty  or  all  the  vices  in 
wealth.  Remember  that  half  the  time 
the  under  dog  is  the  under  dog  be- 
cause he  ought  to  be  the  under  dog. 
Be  sure  that  trusts,  combinations,  and 
the  like  are  as  permanent  forms  of 
energy  in  the  world  as  machinery  and 
political  parties  are.  Use  a  creed  or 
a  party  as  far  as  it  satisfies  your  prin- 
ciples, and  no  further.  Eat  in  homes  or 
households,  rather  than  in  restaurants 
by  yourself.  Marry  for  love,  but  not 
until  you  can  comfortably  support 
a  wife.  Cleanliness,  solvency,  and 
civility  are  invaluable. 


Clark  Bell,  LLD. 

New  York  City.  Corporation  law- 
yer. President,  Medico-Legal  Society. 
Writer  on  medico-legal  sociology  and 
legal  subjects.  Delegate,  United 
States  Government,  to  International 
Medical  Congress,  Paris. 


1.  (a)  Diligence  in  work  or  busi- 
ness, and  promptness  in  keeping  all 
engagements  and  contracts,  (d)  Ab- 
staining from  drink,  the  use  of  to- 
bacco, and  from  all  games  of  chance 
for  money  stakes,  (c)  Giving  judi- 
ciously at  least  one  tenth  of  net  earn- 
ings to  charitable,  religious,  or  com- 
mendable purposes,  as  a  matter  both 
of  principle  and  also  of  policy. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessary,  but  preferable. 

4.  Certainly  not. 

5.  No;  there  may  be  exceptional 
cases,  but  the  country  boy  should,  as 
a  rule,  not  go  to  the  great  city  for 
many  reasons. 

6.  It  depends  on  what  the  boy  is  to 
do,  and  who  the  boy  is,  and  much  on 
his  home  environment.  In  only  ex- 
ceptional cases  should  he  go  to  a  large 
city. 


7.  If  he  is  naturally  lazy  and  indo- 
lent, the  farm  is  no  place  for  him. 

8.  I  have  known  many  dishonest 
men  to  succeed  financially,  but  suc- 
cess in  life  should  not  rest  on  the 
mere  accumulation  of  wealth.  A  man 
may  have  made  a  million,  and  still  be 
poor  as  Lazarus  in  character,  and  his 
life  a  complete  failure. 

9.  I  never  knew  a  slothful,  indo- 
lent man  to  achieve  any  pronounced 
success  in  any  calling.  He  might  win 
money  gambling  in  stocks  or  at  cards, 
but  he  could  never  achieve  success. 

la  The  highest  pleasure  the  earnest 
worker  can  know  is  to  feel  a  joy  in  his 
work.  Duty  is  sometimes  higher  in  its 
demands  than  preference.  "Duties 
are  ours.    Events  are  with  God." 

11.  Ability  must  stand  far  higher  in 
measuring  success  than  experience. 
There  are  many  who  have  not  the 
ability  to  learn  even  by  experience. 

12.  Yes;  the  man  of  ability  will 
recognize  and  utilize  the  lessons  of 
experience. 

13.  No;  there  is  so  much  rubbish 
taught  in  college,  and  the  years  are 
so  valuable  in  the  formation  of  busi- 
ness habits,  that  few  boys  would  suc- 
ceed in  business  who  had  spent  the 
four  years  in  college  which  they  should 
have  devoted  to  a  business  training. 

14.  If  he  had  the  money  to  spend  for 
the  college  course,  or  his  father  would 
help  him,  I  would  advise  it,  provided 
he  devoted  some  hours  a  day  to  the 
study  of  the  mechanical  art  he  in- 
tended to  follow. 

15.  Yes,  decidedly,  if  he  could  go 
early  and  advance  himself  at  the  same 
time  in  the  technique  of  his  intended 
trade. 

16.  As  a  clergyman,  indispensable; 
as  a  physician,  almost  indispensable; 
as  a  lawyer,  depends  on  the  boy.  He 
must  learn  Latin,  French,  and  should 
study  German,  but  he  could  do  this 
before  he  was  14  or  15;  then  if  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  elementary  law, 
and  entered  a  good  lawyer's  office  at 
17,  and  continued  a  proper  course  of 
study  at  the  same  time,  he  would  make 
a  better  lawyer,  than  if  he  went  to 
college  from  17  to  21. 

17.  If  the  boy  is  constitutionally, 
lazy  and  indolent,  I  would  force  him 
against  his  will,  as  a  last  resort  and 
effort  to  save  and  make  something  out 
of  him. 

18.  The  field  of  business  is  better  for 
such  a  boy.    He   could   not  make  a 


198 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


good  mechanic,  and  never  stand  high 
m  a  professional  career,  while  any 
boy  can  succeed  in  business,  with  or- 
dinary ability,  if  he  is  diligent  and 
honest. 

19.  At  the  proper  time,  but  not  un- 
til he  had  mastered  the  details  of  the 
business  in  all  its  branches.  It  is  bet- 
ter that  others  should  pay  the  ex- 
penses of  his  business  education  than 
to  pay  it  himself,  or  usually  so. 

20.  He  runs  too  great  a  risk  of 
moral  ruin  to  go  into  business  on  bor- 
rowed capital.  Failure  in  business 
would  involve  him  irretrievably.  It 
is  wiser  and  safer  to  earn,  and  save, 
and  risk  your  own  money,  than  your 
friends'. 

21.  Aside  from  drink  and  bad  habits, 
a  want  of  careful,  diligent  application 
to  business.  To  earn  money  is  easy. 
To  save  it  is  the  Rubicon.  To  live 
within  one's  means  makes  failure  im- 
possible., 

22.  There  are  no  best  six  books  for 
all  boys.  It  depends  on  the  boy  and 
what  ne  is  to  do.  If  in  the  professions, 
read  everything — 500  books  on  his 
line  of  study  —  devour  them  all.  If  in 
mechanics,  go  to  the  bottom  of  all 
books  treating  of  it.  The  history  and 
constitution  of  a  boy's  country  he 
must  know,  also  the  general  features 
of  its  geography  and  political  divi- 
sions. He  should  have  mastered  arith- 
metic, algebra,  geometry,  and  as- 
tronomy (except  the  mathematics^ 
at  17,  and  have  read  Caesar,  Virgil 
(6  books),  Cicero  (4  books),  by  that 
time,  and  500  or  600  standard  novels. 

23.  A  boy,  in  this  day  and  age  of  the 
world  who  doesn't  read  at  least  a  tri- 
weekly paper,  is  out  of  the  count. 

24.  If  the  father  has  only  one  son, 
it  is  a  great  advantage  to  him  to  do 
so.  If  he  has  many,  or  several,  one  or 
two  should  do  so,  and  the  others 
should  not. 

25.  Be  self-reliant,  conscientious, 
honorable,  and  a  gentleman,  and  make 
your  word  as  sacred  as  your  bond, 
what  is  true,  genuine  success  ?  What 
should  be  the  ideals  and  the  laudable 
ambitions  of  the  American  youth  ?  It 
is  not  mere  money-getting.  I  know  a 
multimillionaire,  who  has  amassed  an 
enormous  fortune;  his  life  is  a  fail- 
ure; he  has  accomplished  nothing  for 
the  uplifting  of  the  race  or  the  good 
of  his  fellows;  his  love  of  money-get- 
ting has  become  a  mania,  and  he  is 
childless,  and  abjectly  poor  in  all  the 


higher  and  nobler  qualities  that  make 
a  well-rounded  life.  Let  the  boy  look 
forward  to  the  accomplishment  of 
some  great,  useful,  and  good  work,  on 
which  he  can  look  back  without  a 
regret,  when  the  final  summons  comes, 
as  one  who  has  done  something  good 
in  the  world. 

Remarks.  Don't  smoke.  The  habit 
is  almost  universal,  but  there  are 
three  reasons  which  should  influence 
a  boy,  starting  in  life,  not  to  smoke: 
(a)  It  gives  a  boy  a  bad  breath,  and  is 
a  filthy  habit,  and  a  high-minded  boy 
should  remember  that  the  girl  he  is  to 
marry  has  rights  as  to  his  personal 
habits  of  cleanliness.  What  boy;  would 
contemplate  marriage  with  a  girl  who 
smoked  ?  Keep  a  clean  and  sweet 
breath  for  your  wife  that  is  to  be. 
(d)  It  is  a  smgular  vice.  Many  vices 
nave  redeeming  features.  This  has 
not  one.  It  is  injurious  to  your  health, 
and  it  becomes  a  fixed  and  uncontroll- 
able habit,  from  which  you  cannot 
disentangle  yourself.  It  is  a  foe  to 
self-reliance;  you  bind  yourself  by 
bonds  you  cannot  break,  and  are  all 
your  life  a  slave  to  this  habit,  (c)  To 
speak  on  a  lower  plane,  it  interferes 
with  your  early  success,  as  an  econ- 
omy. It  costs  a  young  man,  in  start- 
ing, the  same  that  it  does  the  older 
man.  You  can't  smoke  for  less  than 
75  cents  or  a  dollar  a  week,  and  it 
often  runs  much  higher.  Sit  down 
and  compute  what  this  costs  you,  if 
you  live  to  become  a  man,  and  an  old 
man.  To  the  boy  of  18  or  20,  how 
much  of  his  earnings  will  be  wasted  in 
smoke  if  he  lives  to  80  years  of  age  ? 
If  he  keeps  it  down  to  $1.00  a  week, 
which  he  cannot,  that  is  $52  a  year, 
$520  in  10  years,  $1560  in  30  years,  aside 
fromjthe  interest  computed  at  only 
six  per  cent.,  when  it  should  be  com- 
pounded. Never  play  cards  or  games 
of  chance  for  money.  This  is  the  rock 
on  which  so  many  lives  have  been 
wrecked  and  ruined.  A  clerk,  who 
gambles,  runs  the  risk  of  dismissal 
the  moment  his  employer  knows  of  it. 
It  is  the  vice  of  vices.  It  destroys,  it 
kills  the  moral  nature.  It  teaches  de- 
ception and  lying  and  cheating.  You 
are  constantly  at  the  mercy  of  sharpers 
and  blacklegs,  whose  trade  or  profes- 
sion is  to  cheat  at  the  fashionable 
games.  Gambling  may  be  likened  to 
a  sea,  the  shores  of  which  are  thereby 
strewn  with  bleached  bones  of  the 
best  boys  ever  born  into  the  world. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


199 


John  Philip  Sousa 

New  York  City.  Musician.  Director, 
Sousa's  Band.    Composer. 


1.  Adaptability,  hard  study,  and  a 
never-ending  enthusiasm  for  my  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Depends  on  the  calling  and  the 
pride  of  the  person. 

4.  No. 

5.  I  would  advise  no  one  to  change 
before  they  thoroughly  understand 
what  the  change  may  bring. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Adaptability,  talent,  or  genius, 
with  technical  knowledge,  alone  make 
permanent  success. 

12.  See  No.  11. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  if  the  boy  has  sufficient 
brains  to  entitle  his  judgment  to  con- 
sideration. 

18.  I  hate  the  drones  of  the  world; 
as  a  boy  without  ambition  is  useless 
in  any  capacity,  he  is  too  expensive 
to  handle  in  any  trade  or  profession. 

19.  Depends  on  environment. 

20.  Same  as  foregoing. 

21.  Lack  of  application,  lack  of  am- 
bition, lack  of  politeness,  lack  of 
ability,  all  rolled  into  one  cause. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare's  Works, 
a  complete  history  of  his  trade  or  pro- 
fession, a  complete  history  of  his  coun- 
try, a  history  of  the  world,  Innocents 
Abroad. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest. 


Henry  T.  Byford,  M.  D. 

Chicago,  111.  Surgeon.  Professor  of 
Gynecology,  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,  tJniversity  of  Illinois.  Pro- 
fessor, Clinical  Gynecology,  Woman's 
Medical  School,  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity. Surgeon,  Woman's  Hospital. 
Ex-president,  Chicago  Gynecological 
Society.  Honorary  president.  Inter- 
national Congress  of  Gynecology. 
Author  of  medical  works. 


1.  To  a  habit  of  keeping  at  one 
thing  until  I  had  learned  all  I  could 
about  it,  and  not  giving  up  because  it 
became  less  interesting. 

2.  He  should  choose  the  kind  of 
work  he  finds  that  he  can  do  best. 
Preference  is  an  unreliable  guide  un- 
less taught  by  a  certain  amount  of 
experience. 

3.  Ordinarily,  but  not  always.  The 
greatest  success  goes  with  preference, 
but  preference  is  apt  to  follow  suc- 
cess. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  and  vice  versa;  if  the  city 
is  crowded  the  city  boy  would  do 
well  to  go  to  the  country. 

6.  Not  until  experience  has  shown 
him  that  he  is  fitted  for  a  larger  field. 

7.  No.    Send  him  to  college. 

8.  No.  Strict  honesty  puts  a  man 
at  a  disadvantage,  unless  he  is  an 
employee. 

9.  Of  course. 

10.  Yes,  usually. 

11.  Both  are  necessary.  Experience 
counts  more  with  moderate  ability 
than  the  opposite. 

12.  Only  moderate. 

13.  If  he  has  time  and  money  to 
spare,  yes.    If  time  is  important,  no. 

14.  Not  exactly.  He  should  take  a 
technical  course. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Doesn't  matter. 

19.  Yes,  if  he  cannot  work  up  to  a 
high  position  or  get  an  interest  in 
some  established  business,  and  wants 
to  work  harder. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  experience  in  business. 
Lack  of  knowledge  and  ability  in  pro- 
fession.   Lack  of  industry  in  trades. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Spencer. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Get  on  the  right  track,  and 
never  leave  it. 

Remarks.  Business  men  should 
cultivate  scientific  or  political  stud- 
ies for  recreation.  Professional  men 
should  cultivate  politics  and  field 
sports,  and  possibly  literature,  for 
recreation.  Mechanics  should  study 
politics,  art,  literature,  or  science  for 
recreation.  Do  not  choose  a  calling 
exclusively  for  position  in  society  or 
other  extrinsic  advantages,  nor  merely 
for  the  amount  of  money  in  it.  Choose 
what  you  can  do  best. 


200  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Hon.  Andrew  J.  Montague 

Richmond,  Va.    Governor  of   Vir- 
ginia. 


1.  The  early  necessity  for  work, 
and  continuous  and  methodical  labor, 
with  a  fixed  purpose  in  life,  together 
with  a  clear  realization  that  a  good 
character  (high  ethical  standards)  is 
the  supreme  essential. 

2.  By  all  means. 

3.  Yes ;  but  some  exceptions. 

4.  No. 

6.  I  would  not. 

7.  No. 

8.  It  ought  to  be. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  By  all  means. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes ;  but  what  is  sufficient  capi- 
tal under  present  economic  conditions 
is  perhaps  unknown. 

20.  No. 

21.  Bad  habits,  wild  speculation,  and 
lack  of  energy. 

22.  The  Bible,  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's 
Progress,  Plutarch's  Lives,  histories, 
Shakespeare,  and  Tennyson. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  That  character  alone  makes  a 
man  and  a  civilization.  Remember 
this  always,  and  work  hard. 


ing  in  importance   and  afford  great 
opportunities  for  early  distinction. 

7.  He  will  not  stay  there  if  he  sees 
his  life  elsewhere  and  has  success- 
making  pluck. 

8.  The  heart  and  core  of  it. 

9.  Concentration  rather  than  desk 
lazmess. 

ID.  He  must  love  work.  His  work 
will  become  his  love  if  he  does  it  suc- 
cessfully. 

11.  Without  ability  to  utilize  expe- 
rience there  is  a  fatal  leak. 

12.  Yes;  put  a  good  American  brain 
against  a  problem  and  the  problem 
gets  into  the  brain. 

13.  College  education  counts  in  the 
higher  grades  of  all  business  life.  It 
helps  to  get  up  the  ladder. 

14.  Yes ;  then  he  will  soon  get  out  of 
his  work-dress. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes. 

18.  Get  him  to  work  early,  and  keep 
him  there. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  can  show  to  expert 
dispensers  of  credit  that  he  can  handle 
the  capital  profitably. 

22.  The  Holy  Bible,  Shakespeare, 
John  Foster's  Decision  of  Character, 
Thomas  Hughes'  Tom  Brown  Books, 
Bacon's  Essays,  and  all  books  of  popu- 
lar proverbs. 

23.  Yes;  the  best  written  one  he  can 
find. 

24.  If  the  father  has  made  a  name, 
the  boy  should  utilize  it. 

25.  Love  God,  humanity,  a  good 
woman,  and  then  concentrate. 


Hon.  Joseph  C.  Hendrix 

New  York  City.  President,  National 
Bank  of  Commerce  and  American 
Bankers'  Association.  Ex-postmaster, 
Brooklyn.  Ex-president,  Brooklyn 
Board  of  Education.  Ex-Congressman. 


1.  Concentration;  giving  full  meas- 
ure of  work  for  pay  received,  and 
being  prepared  for  promotion. 

2.  Not  until  he  has  doubted  his 
choice  until  he  can  doubt  no  more. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes;  fish  where  the  fish  are. 

6.  No.    The  small  cities  are  grow- 


J.  Edward  Simmons 

New  York  City.  President,  Fourth 
National  Bank,  New  York  Clearing 
House,  Panama  R.R.,  and  Columbia 
Steamship  Co.  Vice-president,  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  of  State  of  New 
York.  Governor  and  Treasurer,  New 
York  Hospital.  Ex-president,  New 
York  Stock  Exchange.  Lawyer.  Phil- 
anthropist. 

1.  Industry  and  perseverance. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


201 


8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes,  after  he  has  graduated  from 
college. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  has  not  suJS&cient  capi- 
tal of  his  own. 

21.  A  desire  to  get  rich  too  fast. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Under  certain  conditions,  yes. 


John  Thomson 

Philadelphia,  Pa.     Librarian,  Free 
Library  of  Philadelphia. 


1.  Success  will  almost  invariably 
follow  patient,  punctual,  and  cheer- 
ful perseverance  —  never  doing  less 
than  your  best. 

2.  Undoubtedly. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  but  only  if  he  has  some 
friend  to  help  him  with  advice,  or  a 
secured  opening,  before  he  goes  to 
the  city. 

6.  ^fo. 

7.  No. 

8.  Without  strict  honesty  nothing 
but  failure  can  be  looked  for. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  In  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  a 
hundred. 

11.  Experience;  on  the  general 
ground  that  practice  is  better  than 
theory. 

12.  Only  in  exceptional  cases. 

13.  Undoubtedly,  if  he  has  the 
opportunity  and  means. 

14.  College  training  is  good  for 
everybody. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Certainly. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Never. 

21.  Want  of  application  to  business, 
and  trickiness  of  business  conduct. 

22.  (a)  Bacon,  "Essays;"  Swift, 
**  Gulliver's      Travels;"       Plutarch, 


Boy;'s  and  Girl's  Plutarch,  ed.  J.  S. 
White;  Green,  "Short  History  of  the 
English  People;"  Aldrich,  "Story  of 
a  Bad  Boy;"  Hughes,  "Tom  Brown 
at  Oxford."  {b)  Lubbock,  "Pleasures 
of  Life;"  Hale,  "Boy's  Heroes;" 
Irving,  "Sketch  Book;"  Anstey, 
"Vice  Versa;"  Lang,  "Blue  Poetry 
Book;  "  "  Arabian  Nights."  {c)  Scott, 
*'  Ivanhoe;  "  Kingsley,  "  Greek 
Heroes;  "  Tennyson,  "  Poems;  " 
DuChaillu,  "Stories  of  the  Gorilla 
Country;"  Church,  "Story  of  the 
Odyssey;"  McClure,  "Lives  of  Our 
Presidents."  {d)  Hughes,  "  Tom 
Brown  at  Rugby;"  Verne,  "Journey 
to  Centre  of  the  Earth;"  Oilman, 
"History  of  the  American  People;" 
Stevenson,  "Essays;"  "  Virginibus 
Puerisque;"  Crawford,  "Marietta;" 
Dumas,  D'Artagnan  Series. 

23.  Yes;  but  he  is  very  apt  to  select 
only  the  sporting  and  athletic  columns ; 
hence  the  advice  is  open  to  much  con- 
sideration. 

24.  If  the  business  is  legitimately 
large  enough  to  justify  taking  a  part- 
ner or  the  father  is  considering  retir- 
ing after  the  boy  has  been  thoroughly 
initiated  into  the  business. 

25.  Enjoy  fun  and  amusement  in 
moderation;  be  bright;  do  your  best 
by  your  mother  and  sisters;  work 
hard  and  steadily.  Love  God  and  your 
neighbor. 


Hon.  Ezra  P.  Savage 

Sargent,    Neb.     Governor   of    Ne- 
braska.   Lawyer. 


1.  Attention  to  business  and 
always  striving  to  earn  my  employer 
more  money  than  he  paid  me. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Surely,  yes. 

4.  By  no  means. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  prepares  himself  for 
the  business  he  expects  to  follow. 

6.  No;  at  least  not  until  his  busi- 
ness ability  has  outgrown  his  home- 
town. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Surely. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  will  bring  experience, 
then  success. 

13.  Not  necessary,  but  helpful. 


202 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  By  no  means. 

21.  Lack  of  experience. 

22.  Life  of  George  Washington, 
Life  of  Benj.  Franklin,  any  good  his- 
tory of  the  United  States,  Shake- 
speare, Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,  The  Bible. 

23.  Surely,  yes. 

24.  If  the  father  has  made  a  success, 
yes. 

25.  Be  honest;  keep  busy  at  some 
useful  employment. 


Hon.  Carroll  Curtis  Boggs 

Fairfield,     111.      Justice,     Supreme 
Court,  State  of  Illinois. 


2.  It  is  certainly  desirable  and  a 
great  aid  to  success  that  one  has  a 
decided  preference  for  his  profession, 
occupation,  or  trade.  Boyish  whims 
or  the  mere  caprice  of  a  youth  ought 
not  to  be  considered,  but  the  strong 
preference  entertained  by  a  young 
man  whose  mind  is  occupied  with 
thoughts  of  the  future  may  well  be 
followed  as  a  reliable  indication  of 
what  is  better  for  him  to  pursue. 

3.  Perhaps  not  absolutely  indis- 
pensable, but  a  decided  aversion  for 
a  calling  is  hardly  consistent  with  a 
high  degree  of  proficiency.  Well- 
matured  choice  of  a  callmg  is  so 
desirable  that  I  should  hesitate  to 
advise  a  young  man  to  enter  upon  a 
life  work  for  which  he  had  no  enthu- 
siastic preference. 

4.  No  with  emphasis.  The  boy 
who  is  dominated  by  his  father  will 
most  probably  be  wanting  in  manly 
self-reliance.  Trust  the  boy  and  give 
him  his  own  way. 

5.  Country  life  is  not  devoid  of  op- 
portunity, and  it  seems  to  me  the 
growing  inclination  of  our  young 
men  to  join  the  crowds  in  the  cities 
will  result  in  over-crowding  the  great 
centers  of  life.  City  life  absorbs  the 
individual  and  tends  to  destroy  indi- 
viduality of  character  and  life.  If 
there  is  "little  or  no  opportunity  for 
business  "  in  any  line  in  any  locality 
one  designing  to  follow  that  line 
should  emigrate. 


6.  No. 

7.  An  appreciation  and  liking  of  a 
calling  is  so  important  that  a  "  young 
man,"  son  of  a  farmer,  who  has  con- 
sidered as  to  his  future  life,  ought  not 
to  be  kept  on  a  farm  against  his 
wishes.  Let  him  choose  his  own  life 
and  enter  upon  it  with  the  burden  of 
all  the  responsibility  of  his  choice 
upon  himself. 

8.  The  tricky,  foxy  man  may  suc- 
ceed temporarily,  and  instances  where 
dishonest  practices  have  brought 
wealth  are  not  lacking,  but  as  applied 
to  the  mass  of  mankind  engaged  in 
business  the  maxim  that  "  honesty  is 
the  best  policy  "  holds  good.  Integrity 
is  one  of  the  chief  recommendations 
when  an  employer  is  looking  for  a 
business  assistant. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  If  one  loves  his  work  and  engages 
in  his  duties  with  a  sense  of  pleasure, 
he  will  certainly  accomplish  more 
than  another  to  whom  his  work  is  dis- 
tasteful. In  a  material  way  the  former 
will  exceed  the  latter,  and  moreover 
will  find  contentment  and  happiness 
which  are  to  be  sought  as  well,  if  not 
more,  than  mere  success  in  business 
affairs. 

11.  Experience  may  add  little  to  one 
who  is  wanting  in  ability.  If  one  has 
ability,  and  has  wisely  chosen  his 
calling,  he  will  soon  acquire  experi- 
ence, and  as  ability  includes  prudence 
and  forethought,  he  will  not  be  in 
absolute  need  of  experience  to  avoid 
great  mistakes.  Ability,  in  the  broader 
meaning  of  the  word,  has  the  better 
promise  of  success. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  That  education  is  not  essential 
to  great  success  in  business  affairs  is 
demonstrated  in  every  community  by 
the  result  of  the  life  work  of  some  of 
the  most  successful  men  of  the  com- 
munity. The  common  and  high  school 
of  the  most  of  our  States  equip  young 
men  for  all  positions  in  life,  whether 
in  business  or  in  the  professions,  in 
civil  or  political  life. 

14.  No,  certainly  not,  if  it  would 
interfere  with  his  entering  upon  the 
actual  work  of  his  trade  as  late  as  his 
twenty-fifth  year. 

15.  He  would  beyond  doubt  be 
greatly  benefited.  The  education 
gained  at  such  school  is  practical  in 
character  and  very  useful,  but  I  do 
not  believe  in  such  expensive  prepara- 
tion as  to  consume  therein  those  years 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


203 


of  early  manhood  which  may  be  much 
more  profitably  employed  in  the  prose- 
cution of  the  real  work  of  life. 

16.  One  who  has  not  enjoyed  the 
advantages  of  a  college  course  will  at 
times  in  his  professional  experience  be 
conscious  of  his  deficiencies,  but  the 
professional  man  who  comes  early  in 
life  into  his  profession  with  an  educa- 
tion equivalent  to  a  high  school,  will 
in  those  early  years,  gain  in  his  pro- 
fession much  that  he  will  learn  is  more 
valuable  than  what  others  obtain  dur- 
ing the  same  years  spent  at  college. 

17.  A  well-balanced  young  man,  who 
has  energy  and  ambition  and  who  is 
given  an  opportunity  to  form  a  deliber- 
ate opinion  as  to  what  is  best,  is  not 
likely  to  go  wrong.  Much  of  that 
which  is  taught  in  college  life  adds 
little  to  the  practical  power  of  the 
student  to  overcome  the  diflBculties 
that  be  in  the  path  of  success. 

18.  Such  a  boy  needs  more  than  any- 
thing else  to  be  aroused  —  mentally, 
and  no  doubt  physically,  until  he  feels 
the  impulse  of  manhood.  If  he  could 
be  induced  to  pack  his  clothing  in  a 
bundle  and  run  away  from  his  home 
in  the  night  time,  and  meet  and  face 
the  world  for  himself,  his  prospects  to 
make  a  good  and  useful  man  would 
be  much  improved.  He  needs  to  be 
put  where  he  must  stand  of  his  own 
strength  and  provide  for  himself. 

19.  Yes.  A  young  man  who  has 
business  capacity  and  capital  ought 
to  go  into  business  on  his  own  account. 

20.  Prudence  would  dictate  that  he 
should  continue  on  a  salary  and  save 
as  much  as  possible  of  his  salary  until 
he  has  accumulated  enough  to  supply 
the  needed  capital,  or  at  least  one- 
half  thereof. 

21.  Failure  to  practice  economy; 
overlooking  things  small  in  them- 
selves, !but  large  in  the  aggregate; 
depending  upon  others  to  conduct  that 
part  of  the  affairs  which  the  head  of 
the  concern  should  look  to  and  control. 

22.  A  healthy  boy  at  a  certain  age 
hungers  for  stories  of  Indians  and 
hunters.  Cooper's  Leather-Stocking 
Series  should  be  provided.  Tales  of 
the  sea,  of  adventure  by  land,  etc., 
would  interest  him.  History,  astron- 
omy, the  current  affairs  of  the  world, 
as  presented  in  the  daily  papers  and 
in  magazines,  ought  to  engage  his 
attention.  The  fiction  of  Scott  and 
Dickens,  the  humor  of  Irving  and 
Twain,  and  all  clean  novels  and  books, 


ought  to  be  open  to  him.  A  free  and 
wide  range  of  reading  is  to  be  desired. 
Let  him  be  informed  as  to  the  real 
things  of  the  world,  good  and  bad. 
Ignorance  of  evil  will  not  serve  to 
prepare  him  to  resist  or  avoid  it. 

23.  Emphatically,  ves,  yes,  yes. 

24.  If  he  has  a  well-matured  prefer- 
ence for  it,  and  can  resist  the  tempta- 
tion to  lean  upon  his  father,  yes ;  but 
if  the  tendency  of  his  nature  is  to 
avoid  responsibility  and  to  enjoy  ease 
and  freedom  from  care,  no.  His 
father's  experience  ought  to  be  of 
great  benefit,  if  the  parental  relation 
does  not  depress  the  inclination  to 
individual  action  on  the  part  of  the 
son. 

25.  Rely  upon  your  own  strength. 
Remember  your  reputation  will  take 
color  from  your  associates.  Cultivate 
the  acquaintance  of  men  your  seniors 
in  age.  Practice  economy  and  indus- 
try. Be  courteous  and  firm  and  re- 
member that  all  of  the  vices  are  ex- 
pensive and  tend  to  injure  the  man  as 
a  business  man  and  in  his  moral  and 
manly  nature. 


Charles  C.Harrison,A.M.,LLD. 

President,  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. President,  Pennsylvania 
Society  to  Protect  Children  from 
Cruelty. 


1.  (a)  Early  discipline  in  self- 
control  and  habits  of  industry; 
(^6)  attention  to  details;  {c)  persistent 
industry. 

2.  Yes,  if  available. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  in  the  long  ran. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

12.  In  fact  it  often  does. 

13.  If  time  and  means  permit,  yes, 
no  matter  what  the  proposed  course 
of  life. 

14.  Same  as  No.  13. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Unquestionably. 

17.  No. 

18.  A 'trade. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Imprudence. 

23.  Yes,  at  a  proper  hour. 

25.  Keep  clean,  and  work  hard. 


204  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Francis  M.  Gunnell,  M.D. 

Washington.  Ex-Surgeon  General, 
United  States  Navy.  President, 
Board  of  Visitors,  Government  Hos- 
pital for  Insane. 


1.  I  do  not  know  that  I  have  en- 
joyed notable  success  in  life,  but 
whatever  I  have  attained  has  been 
the  result  of  good  opportunities  and 
devotion  to  duty. 

2.  Surely. 
4.  No. 

8.  To  honorable  success,  certainly. 

13.  If  possible  to  do  so. 

14.  Not  necessary. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

21.  Want  of  devotion  to  work  under- 
taken. 

22.  The  Bible,  Dean  Gouldburn's 
"Thoughts  on  Personal  Religion," 
Life  of  Washington,  Life  of  Lincoln, 
Life  of  Henry  Drummond,  good  book 
on  natural  sciences. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  generally. 

25.  Fix  your  desires  on  a  high  and 
worthy  object,  and  be  earnest  in  pur- 
suit of  it. 


10.  Yes,  though  there  are  exceptions. 

11.  Ability,  though  both  are  essen- 
tial. 

12.  No. 

13.  Not  unless  his  people  are  in  a 
position  to  advance  him  in  business. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  He  should  make  at  least  a  part 
of  his  capital.  If  he  can't  save  some- 
thing he  ought  not  to  borrow. 

21.  Lack  of  business  principles  in 
the  daily  conduct  of  affairs  and  lack 
of  strict  economy. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Les 
Mis^rables,  Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
Carnegie's  Empire  of  Business,  John 
Fiske's  History  of  the  United  States. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  temperate,  economi- 
cal, and  saving.  Don't  speculate,  but 
work,  and  be  willing  to  help  others 
less  fortunate. 


Colonel  Albert  A.  Pope 

Boston,  Mass.  Merchant  and  manu- 
facturer. Founder,  American  Bicycle 
Industries.  Pioneer  in  Good  Roads 
Movement.  Director,  American  Loan 
and  Trust  Co.,  Boston  Five  Cents 
Savings  Bank,  and  many  other  insti- 
tutions. Past  Commander,  Massa- 
chusetts Commandery  of  the  Military 
Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion.  Member 
of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  and 
many  patriotic  associations. 


1.  Self-sacrifice  and  perseverance. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes,  as  a  rule. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,   if  he  has  the  ability  and 
other  necessary  qualifications. 

6.  Start  at  home  first. 

7.  Yes,   unless    he  has  ability  for 
something  else. 

8.  Yes,  according  to  the  best  mean- 
ing of  success. 

9.  Yes. 


Samuel  S.  Adams,  M.D. 

Washington,  D.  C.  Professor,  theory 
and  practice  of  medicine  and  diseases 
of  children,  Georgetown  University. 
Attending  physician.  Children's  Hos- 
pital, Washington  Hospital  for  Found- 
lings, Georgetown  University  Hospi- 
tal. Secretary,  American  Pediatric 
Society. 


1.  {a)  Hard  study,  (d)  Not  being 
afraid  to  work,  {c)  Strict  attention  to 
my  professional  work.  (^)  Grasping 
successfully  a  few  ideas  and  avoiding 
a  smattering  of  knowledge,  {e)  The 
art  of  applying  what  I  knew,  and 
never  attempting  to  do  something  of 
which  I  knew  little  or  nothing. 
(/)  Respecting  the  feelings  of  others. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes  ;  /.  ^.,  one  is  often  impelled 
to  a  profession  against  the  judgment 
of  his  friends. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  ability  to  adapt 
himself  to  a  decided  change  of  environ- 
ment. 

6.  No,  unless  he  has  a  good  educa- 
tional foundation  to  support  his  aspira- 
tions. 

7.  No. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


205 


8.  Most  assuredly. 

9.  Yes. 
la  Yes. 

11.  Experience  alone  is  transitory, 
while  ability  and  experience  lead  to 
permanent  success. 

12.  No. 

13.  A  collegiate  education  is  always 
desirable  if  it  can  be  obtained  without 
hardship. 

14.  If  he  can  spare  the  money  and 
time. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  always. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade  or  business,  never  a  pro- 
fession. 

19.  Better  watch  the  other  fellow's 
capital  for  a  few  years,  especially  if 
his  salary  be  a  fair  interest  on  the 
money  he  would  invest. 

20.  No. 

21.  Trying  to  get  rich  too  fast. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  the  father  is  a  good  disciplina- 
rian. 

25.  In  your  calling  be  truthful, 
honest,  painstaking,  and  industrious. 
Avoid  excessive  smoking.  Let  alco- 
holics alone.  Never  gamble  either 
with  cards,  races,  or  the  ticker.  In 
your  daily  expenses  spend  your  own 
earnings  and  avoid  borrowing  from 
your  friends. 


Robert  Williams  Gibson 

New  York  City.  Architect.  Direc- 
tor, American  Institute  of  Architec- 
ture. President,  Architectural  League 
of  New  York. 


1.  To  thoroughness;  to  an  aptitude 
for  my  profession;  to  a  regard  for 
simple  principles;  and  to  a  readiness 
to  seize  an  opportunity  without  delay. 

2.  Yes,  unless  his  advisers  knew  of 
great  disadvantages. 

3.  Not  absolutely  necessary,  but 
decidedly  conducive. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  unless  he  can  make  his  life 
independent  of  business. 

6.  Certainly  not. 

7.  No. 

8.  Unhappily  not  "necessary,"  but 
in  most  cases  conducive. 

9.  Yes,  except  in  speculative  career, 
and  except  when  powerful  friends 
help. 


10.  In  a  profession,  yes  ;  in  business, 
not  necessarily. 

11.  These  cannot  be  separated  even 
in  theory. 

12.  There  is  no  such  thing  as  ability 
without  experience;  experience  is  a 
necessary  part  of  ability. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  but  to  begin  his  technical 
studies  at  the  earliest  possible  time, 
even  at  the  expense  of  the  college 
course. 

17.  No. 

18.  Business. 

19.  Yes,  if  possessed  of  confidence 
and  executive  ability. 

2a  Yes,  if  with  executive  ability  and 
credit.    Let  him  try. 

21.  Lack  of  perception  of  the  rela- 
tive importance  of  things;  failures  are 
as  necessary  in  the  search  for  great 
men  as  in  the  search  for  oil  wells. 

22.  So  much  depends  on  the  boy  — 
the  best  cannot  be  stated  for  all  alike. 
I  would  tell  a  boy  to  read  the  Bible, 
not  with  superstition,  but  as  any  other 
book  of  human  wisdom;  Spencer's 
Data  of  Ethics;  Darwin's  Origin  of 
Species;  and  the  works  of  Oliver  Wen- 
dell Holmes,  Emerson,  and  Kipling. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  so  inclined,  yes;  there  would 
be,  probably,  inherited  aptitude. 

25.  As  you  grow  old,  keep  true  to 
your  own  boyhood's  ideals. 


Augustus  C.  Bernays,  M.D. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.  Inventor  of  im- 
proved methods  in  operative  surgery. 
Teacher  of  Anatomy  and  Surgical 
Pathology. 


I.  To  an  excellent  college  and  uni- 
versity education  and  to  a  certain 
ambition  to  be  at  the  head  of  my  pro- 
fession. The  latter  element,  no  doubt, 
led  me  to  say  and  do  things  which 
aroused  the  jealousy  and  animosity  of 
rivals.  I  am  sure  that  this  animosity 
spurred  me  on  to  renewed  and  in- 
creased effort  and  work.  I  therefore 
think  that  ambition  is  a  good  stimulus 
and  the  possession  of  a  degree  of  am- 
bition is  better  than  the  total  lack  of 
it.  I  think  that  certain  inherited  tal- 
ents and  aptitudes  are  the  two  factors 


206 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


which  make  up  the  different  degrees 
of  ability  in  different  men. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes,  at  least  let  him  have  a 
broad  educational  basis. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

18.  A  business  or  a  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  To  living  higher  and  more  luxu- 
riously than  the  income  warrants. 

22.  "Plutarch's  Lives"  and  ele- 
mentary treatises  on  natural  sciences. 
A  young  man  of  good  education 
should  read  Herbert  Spencer's  "  First 
Principles  "  and  a  new  work  on  the 
**  History  of  Civilization." 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  but  not  until  he  has  worked 
for  a  few  years  under  another  master 
in  the  same  line  of  business. 

25.  There  is  always  room  at  the 
top,  and  you  can  climb  high  if  you 
make  no,  great  mistakes  along  the 
road. 


Hon.  John  Hunn 

Wyoming,  Del.    Governor  of  Dela- 


1.  To  my  home  training,  good 
health,  fair  education,  and  a  consis- 
tent knowledge  that  I  must  work  out 
my  own  success. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Experience  will  come. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 


15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Seldom. 

21.  Spending  more   than    they  can 
afford  to  take  out  of  the  business. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  his  father  is  a  success. 

25.  Be  true  to  your  God,  your  coun- 
try, and  yourselves. 


William  H.  Lincoln 

Boston,    Mass.     President,    Boston 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No,  but  an  advantage. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Not  at  first. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability;  experience  will  come  in 
time. 

12.  It  is  difficult  to  separate.  Cer- 
tainly experience  is  of  little  value 
without  ability  to  profit  by  it. 

13.  Yes,  if  his  means  permit. 

14.  No;  would  advise  Institute  of 
Technology. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Secure  a  clerk's  position  or  some 
place  on  a  salary. 

19.  Yes. 

2a  No.  • 

21.  Indolence  or  lack  of  judgment. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Milton, 
Thoughts  by  Marcus  Aurelius;  Works 
of  Daniel  Webster,  Life  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  Don't  know  as  these  are  the 
best,  but  they  are  certainly  good. 

23.  Certainly. 

24.  Yes,  if  the  business  is  a  desirable 
one. 

25.  Keep  good  company;  always 
speak  the  truth;  be  honest;  let  your 
word  once  given  be  as  good  as  your 
bond;  avoid  temptation;  make  no 
haste  to  be  rich ;  never  get  into  debt 
unless  you  see  your  way  to  pay  it;  be 
diligent,  earnest,  and  faithful;  try  to 
make  the  world  better  for  having 
lived  in  it. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


207 


William  B.  Rice 

Quincy,  Mass.  Rice  &  Hutchins, 
shoe  manufacturers,  Boston.  Founded 
Quincy  City  Hospital. 


1.  A  healthy  body,  a  good  digestion, 
a  willingness  to  accept  conditions, 
and  sacrifice  personal  likes  and  com- 
fort in  order  to  win. 

2.  Generally,  yes,  for  boys  of  good 
sense.  Should  want  to  be  sure  the 
boy  knew  his  own  mind. 

3.  A  great  help;  not  always  neces- 
sary; some  men  could  succeed  in  any 
one  of  several  callings. 

4.  No. 

5.  The  boy  should  have  oppor- 
tunity in  proportion  to  his  abilities. 

7.  No ;  be  sure  he  knows  his  mind. 

8.  Yes,  decidedly. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Loving  the  rewards  of  work  is 
often  a  sufficient  incentive. 

11.  A  good  question  for  a  debating 
club.    I  should  say,  both. 

12.  Sometimes. 

13.  If  he  loves  study,  yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  is  saving. 

21.  Going  into  debt. 

22.  Bible,  and  any  healthy  mental 
food  he  craves. 

23.  Yes,  read  everything. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  In  whatever  situation  you  are 
placed  do  a  little  more  than  can 
rightly  be  expected  of  you.  Be  chary 
in  promise,  but  prodigal  in  per- 
formance. 


John  H.  Converse 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  President,  Bald- 
win Locomotive  Works.  Philan- 
thropist. 


I. 

Attention  to  business. 

2. 

Yes. 

3- 

Yes. 

4* 

No. 

5. 

Yes. 

6.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9- 

Yes. 

10. 

Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  readily  afford  it. 

14.  No,  but  to  a  technical  school. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

i8.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  application. 

22.  The     Bible,     Shakespeare,    and 
standard  histories. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 


Wm.W.  Campbell,  M.S.,  Sc.D. 

Mt.  Hamilton,  Cal.  Director,  Lick 
Observatory.  Astronomer.  Author 
of  astronomical  works. 


1.  A  good  constitution.  A  natural 
bent  for  physical  sciences.  Thorough 
enjoyment  of  hard  work.  A  knowl- 
edge of  what  I  wanted  to  do,  and  re- 
jection of  offers  to  work  in  other  lines 
at  two  or  three  times  the  salary. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  more  than  average  abil- 
ity. 

6.  No,  except  under  definitely 
favorable  circumstances. 

7.  Not  if  he  knows  what  he  wants 
to  do. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Genuine  ability  soon  begets  ex- 
perience. 

12.  Same  as  No.  11. 

13.  In  the  great  majority  of  cases, 
no. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 
2a  No. 

21.  Lack  of  interest  and  application. 

22.  Any  books  that  have  lived. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  but  the  rule  would  have 
many  exceptions. 

25.  Find  out  what  you  want  to  do, 
what  you  would  really  enjoy  doing, 
and  let  nothing  interfere  with  your 
honorable  success  in  that  work. 


2o8 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Hon.  James  B.  Angell 


perhaps  to  apologize  for  speaking  thu 

frankly,  but  it  seems  to  me  that  i 

Ann  Arbor,  Mich.    President,  Uni-  plain  word  on  this  question  is  wort] 

versity  of  Michigan.     Diplomat.    Ex-  more  than  opinions  on  all  the  rest  o 

Minister  to  China  and  Turkey.  the  questions  put  together. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

13.  If  he  is  intellectually  gifted,  yes. 

14.  Not  unless  he  has  ability  enough 
to  become  a  great  leader. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  has  talent  enough  to 
become  a  manager. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  persistence. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  upright,    persistent,    indus- 
trious. 


George  Wheeler  Hinman 

Chicago,  111.  Editor-in-chief  an< 
manager,  Chicago  Inter-Ocean.  Lee 
turer  on  foreign  history  and  diplc 
macy. 


Arthur  T.  Hadley,  A.M.,  Ph.D. 

New  Haven,  Conn.    President,  Yale 
University.    Author. 


8.  There  are  two  things  which  are 
often  confused — business  success  and 
money^  getting.  The  prostitute  and 
the  criminal  may  make  a  great  deal 
of  money;  they  do  not  make  business 
success.  A  man  does  not  need  honesty 
to  get  money.  He  may  break  into  his 
employer's  safe  and  steal  it;  he  may 
worm  his  way  into  his  employer's  con- 
fidence and  get  it  on  false  pretences; 
he  may  sell  the  use  of  his  name  for 
fraudulent  purposes ;  he  may  pretend 
to  deliver  goods  which  he  does  not 
actually  convey ;  he  may  take  a  mean 
advantage  of  his  more  honest  com- 
petitor. Some  of  these  ways  of  get- 
ting money  are  more  easily  discovered 
than  others  and  more  severely  pun- 
ished; but,  whether  they  are  dis- 
covered or  not,  the  money  made  in 
these  ways  does  not  represent  busi- 
ness success.  To  business  success,  in 
the  proper  sense  of  the  term,  honesty 
is  so  absolutely  essential  that  the  man 
who  asks  the  question  is  guilty  of  con- 
fusion of  thought,  and  he  who  hesi- 
tates about  the  answer  is  preparing  to 
sell  his  soul  for  money  if  the  price  can 
only  be  made  high  enough.    I  ought 


1.  Thoroughness. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  In  a  higher  sense,  yes;  not  how 
ever  to  making  money. 

9.  In  most  cases. 

10.  No. 

11.  Both  equally. 

12.  Seldom. 

13.  Yes,  unless  the  effort  would  b 
too  gpreat. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Business. 

20.  Seldom. 

21.  Lack  of  painstaking  industr 
and  thoroughness. 

22.  The  best  six  books  applying  t 
his  future  vocation  or  occupation  i; 
life. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  thorough,  industrious,  honest 
and  frank.  Avoid  all  false  pretence 
in  your  daily  life.    In  a  word,  be  true 


General  Charles  H.  Taylor 

Boston,  Mass.     Editor-in-chief  ant 
general  manager,  Boston  Globe. 


1.  In  every  position  that  I  hav< 
ever  held  I  have  always  done  a  littl 
more  than  was  expected  of  me.  That 
and  honest,  hard  work,  will  accom 
plish  all  that  the  ability  and  ambitioi 
of  a  man  entitle. him  to  achieve. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Usually. 

4.  No. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


209 


5.  Depends    on    whether    he    has 
brains  and  industry. 

6.  No,  unless  he   is  an  unusually- 
bright  boy. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Absolutely. 
10.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Depends  on  his  ability,  and  the 
circumstances  in  each  case. 

20.  Depends  on  circumstances. 

21.  Lack  of  brains  and  of  industry. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Do  a  little  more  than  is  expected 
of  you  wherever  you  are  placed. 


J.  W.  Higgins 


Chicago,  111.    General  Superintend- 
ent, Illinois  Central  R.R. 


Rev.  Francis  E.  Clark,  D.D. 

Boston,  Mass.  President,  and 
founder,  United  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor.  Editor,  Christian  En- 
deavor World.    Author. 


1.  What  little  success  may  have 
come  to  me  I  attribute  under  God's 
blessing  to  trying  to  foresee  what 
ought  to  be  done  next,  and  doing  my 
best  to  accomplish  it. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  absolutely  necessary,  but 
very  desirable. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  as  a  rule. 

6.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  often. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  See  below. 

15.  I  consider  this  the  equivalent  of 
a  college  and  perhaps  better  for  a 
mechanic. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Many  boys  need  some  moral 
compulsion  at  first.  Let  him  try  it  at 
least. 

18.  I  would,  if  I  were  such  a  boy,  be 
a  farmer  or  fruit-grower. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  It  might  be  wise.  It  all  depends 
on  circumstances. 

21.  Lack  of  sterling  moral  purpose 
and  steadfastness  of  character. 

23.  Yes,  briefly,  limiting  himself  to 
t«n  minutes  a  day. 


1.  [a)  Hard,  conscientious  work; 
{b)  fairness  to  competitors;  {c)  justice 
to  subordinates;  {d)  making  my  word 
good  and  being  considerate  to  all. 

2.  If  he  persists  after  17  years  of 
age. 

3.  Not  in  a  boy. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  In  the  earlier  years,  ability;  in 
later  years,  experience. 

12.  See  No.  11. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 
i6.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Better  become  attached  to  a 
good  firm  or  business  well  established. 

20.  No. 

21.  Dissolute  habits. 

22.  The  biographies  of  the  success- 
ful men  in  his  chosen  line  and  good 
works  on  the  same  subject. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  one  or  two. 

25.  Shun  bad  company.  Tell  the 
truth.  Be  considerate  and  just.  Never 
break  a  promise. 


Arthur  R.  Reynolds,  M.D. 

Chicago,  111.  Health  Commissioner. 


1.  Close  and  persistent  application. 

2.  Yes,  if  he  is  old  enough. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  must  have  business,  he  must 
go  where  business  may  be  had.  He 
should  stay  in  the  country  if  he  can  be 
content. 

6.  Decidedly,  no. 

7.  No. 

8.  I  certainly  do. 

9.  I  do. 
10.  Yes. 

12.  Yes,  with  application. 

13.  Yes. 


2IO 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


■     14.  For  a  time. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  but  he  should  not  stay  for 
a  degree,  unless  it  comes  easy  to  him. 

17.  No. 

18.  In  such  a  case  he  should  take 
what  is  most  convenient,  and  stick  to 
it. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Inattention,  due  to  poor  health, 
lack  of  faculty,  or  laziness  and  debt. 

23.  Yes,  the  news,  the  wholesome 
news. 

24.  Yes,  except  he  show  superior 
talent  for  some  other. 

25.  Be  cheerful,  willing,  industrious, 
and  honest. 


Elwood  Furnas 

Nevada,  Iowa.    President,  National 
Farmers'  Alliance.    Farmer. 


1.  To  continued  determination  to 
succeed  in  anything  undertaken  along 
with  compatible  conditions. 

2.  I  would  advise  him  to  enter  the 
business  he  could  successfully  accom- 
plish. 

3.  Yes,  if  the  preference  was  gained 
by  experience. 

4.  No. 

5.  No ;  not  until  he  received  an  edu- 
cation. 

6.  No. 

7.  Yes. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Ability. 

12  Yes ;  experience  can  be  attained 
by  ability  in  different  ways. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  No. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Going  into  business  with  too 
small  capital,  and  unmindfulness 
caused  by  intoxicants  and  other  de- 
ranged conditions. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  political 
economy,  physiology.  Code  of  his 
State,  the  best  biographies  of  Ameri- 
cans. 

23.  Yes. 


24.  Yes,  if  there  is  a  demand  for  it. 

25.  Do  unto  others  as  you  would 
that  others  should  do  unto  you  under 
like  circumstances.  Shun  those  who 
would  mislead  you.  Seek  wisdom  from 
whence  it  comes.  Learn  from  the 
works  of  nature  through  which  the 
blade  of  grass  waxes  forth  and  the 
great  oaks  from  acorns  grow,  that 
power  which  can  only  be  put  in  force 
by  a  power  exceeding  that  of  man, 
which  power  will  naturally  gain  su- 
premacy in  your  minds,  as  that  of  the 
Great  Architect  of  the  universe,  and 
if  you  thus  observe  you  will  love  such 
architecture,  and  by  this  acquirement 
you  will  love  the  Architect,  which  is 
the  greatest  thing  you  can  attain. 
Business,  trades,  and  other  condi- 
tions are  secondary  matters.  Be  use- 
ful, so  that  they  who  use  will  seek 
you.  Be  prompt,  that  you  may  re- 
ceive promptness  when  needed.  Be 
worthy  of  hire,  for  that  increases 
worth  and  worth  advances  compen- 
sation. Be  courteous  to  all.  Treat 
every  one's  sister  as  you  would  have 
your  sister  treated.  Be  honest  as  you 
would  have  others  be  unto  you,  and 
you  will  be  rewarded  by  God  and 
man. 


George  W.  Stevens 

Richmond,    Va.    President,   Chesa- 
peake &  Ohio  R.R. 


2. 
3. 
4- 
5. 
ing. 
6. 

7- 
8. 

9- 
10. 
II. 
12. 

13- 
14. 

15. 
16. 

17- 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 

23- 

24. 


Yes. 
Yes. 
No. 

Yes,  if  he  has  no  taste  for  farm- 
No. 
No. 
Yes. 
Yes. 
Yes. 
Ability. 
Yes. 
Yes. 
Yes. 
Yes. 
Yes. 
No. 

A  trade. 
Yes. 
Yes. 

Lack  of  application. 
Yes. 
Yes,  if  it  is  to  his  liking. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  211 


John  C.  Houghton 

Lynn,     Mass.      Librarian,     Public 
Library. 


1.  Fixed  moral  principle.    Industry. 
Perseverance. 

2.  Yes. 

Yes. 

No. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
la  Not  absolutely  necessary. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Not  often. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

2a  Usually,  no. 

21.  Extravagant  expenditures. 

22.  Bible;  Student's  Manual  (John 
Todd);  Young  Man's  Guide  (W.  A. 
Alcott);  Self-Help  (S.  Smiles);  Busi- 
ness World  (A.  Carnegie) ;  some  special 
book  in  the  line  of  the  boy's  choice. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest,  industrious,  keep 
your  eyes  and  ears  open,  and  do  not 
talk  too  much. 


1.  Enthusiasm  and  diligence. 

2.  Opportunity  and  preference. 

3.  No,  but  an  advantage. 

4.  No. 

5.  There  are  other  and  better  things 
than  business. 

8.  By  all  means. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Concentration,  devotion,  enthu- 
siasm. 


11.  Ability. 

12.  With  ability,  progress  through 
experience  is  rapid. 

13.  The  'deeper  and  broader  the  edu- 
cation the  better,  if  available. 

14.  Mental  training,  first.  Trade, 
second,  and  the  better  for  the  train- 
ing. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Devote  attention  to  the  will. 

18.  That  most  likely  to  arouse  man- 
hood in  him. 

19.  Much  depends  upon  circum- 
stances. Largest  opportunity  should 
determine  the  matter. 

20.  Only  with  the  advice  of  those 
who  lend  money  for  the  purpose. 

21.  Subsidence  of  the  fitless;  mis- 
judgment;  mismanagement;  heart- 
less enmity  of  competition. 

22.  The  Book  of  Books,  the  best  his- 
tory, the  best  poetry. 

23.  Avoiding  the  dismal  round  of 
evil. 

24.  General  principles  are  those 
named  in  No.  2. 

25.  Quit  you  like  men.  Whatsoever 
your  hands  find  to  do,  do  it  with  thy 
might. 


Roswell  Miller 

Chicago,  111.  Chairman  of  the  Board 
of  Directors,  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & 
St.  Paul  R.R. 


Prof.  Samuel  H.  Woodbridge 

Boston,  Mass.  Professor,  Massachu- 
setts Institute  of  Technology.  Chair- 
man, Committee  on  Car  Sanitation, 
American  Public  Health  Association. 
Designing  and  consulting  engineer  for 
heating  and  ventilating  in  over  150 
buildings,  including  United  States 
Capitol. 


1.  Hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  No. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  persistence. 
23.  Yes. 


212 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


General  Samuel  Dalton 

Boston,  Mass.     Adjutant  General  of 
the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  In  a  measure. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Both. 

12.  Ability  would  look  for  the  ex- 
perience. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Depends  on  chances  of  success. 

20.  No. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 


Hon.  Gustavus  R.  Glenn 

Atlanta,  Ga.  State  School  Commis- 
sioner. President,  Southern  Educa- 
tional Association  and  Department  of 
Superintendence,  Chicago  National 
Educational  Association. 


1.  I  do  one  thing  at  a  time  and  put 
my  whole  soul  into  the  doing  of  that 
one  thing. 

2.  It  depends  on  the  boy;  if  he  is 
normally  developed,  yes. 

3.  Not  always. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  the  boy  has  brains,  yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Always. 
10.  Yes. 

n.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade  is  liable  to  develop  his 
ambition,  if  he  has  energy. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 


21.  Ignorance  of  conditions  neces- 
sary to  success. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Bun- 
yan's  Pilgrim's  Progress,  good  history 
of  his  own  country,  biographies  of  a 
few  great  men. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Other  things  being  equal,  yes. 

25.  Speak  the  truth,  act  the  truth, 
live  the  truth. 


John  Mickleborough,  Ph.D. 


Brooklyn,   N.   Y. 
High  School. 


Principal,   Boys' 


1.  Earning  my  own  money  and 
paying  my  way  through  college. 

2.  Yes,  provided  it  is  an  honorable 
calling. 

3.  No. 

4.  Such  force  is  usually  unwise. 

5.  Many  a  boy  is  too  great  by 
capacity  for  usefulness  for  his  home- 
district  ;  if  he  remains  he  is  dwarfed. 

6.  It  will  depend  upon  the  boy's 
ability  to  lead  a  pure  life  in  the  great 
city.  This  question  cannot  be  an- 
swered by  any  general  rule. 

7.  No;  if  he  dislikes  farming  be- 
cause of  its  hard  work  he  might  as 
well  be  kept  at  that  as  to  try  any  other 
line  of  work. 

8.  There  are  hypothetical  cases 
where  "  strict  honesty "  is  not  the 
best  or  truest  thing  to  do.  Honesty 
is  always  to  be  commended. 

9.  "  Persistent  application"  may 
dwarf  the  man.  Application  with 
periods  or  hours  of  recreation  is  to 
be  preferred. 

10.  One  must  take  interest  in  his 
work  and  may  be  successful  without 
having  great  love  for  it. 

11.  Ability  is  the  foundation;  experi- 
ence is  the  superstructure.  Experience 
without  ability  is  generally  a  failure. 

12.  Yes;  limited  success.  Success 
is  not  monetary.  Real  success  comes 
with  years  of  effort,  and  here  is  the 
opportunity  for  experience. 

13.  Yes;  as  a  general  rule,  nothing 
can  take  the  place  of  college  training, 
college  life,  college  experience. 

14.  Yes,  and  in  his  chosen  trade 
thereby  become  the  leader. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No;  many  a  boy  should  never 
go  to  college. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


213 


18.  If  he  has  little  ambition,  let  him 
undertake  that  in  which  he  is  likely  to 
become  the  most  interested. 

19.  Yes,  provided  he  has  sufficient 
capital  to  meet  the  great  combina- 
tions of  the  present  time;  forty,  or 
thirty,  years  ago,  I  should  have  said, 
yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  judgment.  Too  much 
allowed  for  "luck."  "Luck"  some- 
times covers  lack  of  judgment.  Those 
cases  are  rare. 

22.  Bible;  Shakespeare;  Lives  of 
American  Statesmen,  36  vols.;  Poems 
of  Longfellow,  Whittier,  Holmes, 
Bryant,  Lowell. 

23  Yes;  he  should  be  advised  so 
that  he  may  select  that  which  is 
valuable  from  the  valueless  in  the 
daily  paper. 

24.  In  some  instances,  yes;  in  others, 
no.  It  depends  upon  the  kind  of 
father,  the  kind  of  boy,  and  the  kind 
of  business. 

25.  I  should  quote  the  words  of 
Longfellow:  "Live  up  to  the  best 
that  is  in  you,  live  noble  lives  as  you 
all  may  in  whatever  condition  you 
may  find  yourselves,  so  that  your 
epitaph  may  be  that  of  Euripides: 
♦  This  monument  does  not  make  thee 
famous,  O  Euripides,  but  thou  makest 
this  monument  famous.' " 


13.  Desirable,  but  not  essential. 

14.  Would  advise  the  scientific  de- 
partment of  a  university. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  A  boy  should  be  encouraged,  but 
not  forced,  to  enter  college. 

18.  Would  advise  a  trade. 

19   If  he  has  any  ambition,  yes. 

20,  Much  would  depend  upon  the 
disposition  of  the  lender. 

21.  Lack  of  ambition,  thoroughness. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  "  Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth 
to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might,"  giving 
unto  God  all  the  glory  and  honor. 


A.  A.  Raven 

New    York    City.     President,    At- 
lantic Mutual  Insurance  Co. 


John  Sloane 

New  York  City.    Of  W.  &  J.  Sloane, 
carpets  and  upholstery. 


1.  I  attribute  whatever  success  I 
may  have  achieved,  under  Divine 
guidance,  to  wise  parental  teaching 
and  training,  and  steady  purpose  to 
accomplish  what  was  in  my  mind  to  do. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  A  boy  should  be  the  architect  of 
his  own  fortune,  guided,  but  not 
forced. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  I  would  strenuously  seek  for  the 
opportunity,  and  if  a  desirable  one 
oflEered,  would  embrace  it. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  The  one  is  essential  to  the  other. 

12.  No. 


1.  As  respects  success  it  may  be 
regarded  as  a  relative  term.  There 
can  be  no  true  success  in  life  save  in 
the  faithful  performance  of  duty  and 
the  utilizing  of  every  means  at  one's 
disposal  to  meet  the  daily  require- 
ments, never  losing  sight  of  the  fact 
that  there  are  forces  beyond  our  con- 
trol which  are  to  be  recognized  at  all 
times,  and  that  human  effort  will  be 
entirely  fruitless  except  through  the 
recognition  of  an  over-ruling  Provi- 
dence. 

2.  If  the  choice  is  made,  not  through 
whim  or  mere  fancy,  it  unquestion- 
ably follows  that  one  should  pursue 
the  bent  of  his  mind  in  the  selection 
of  a  profession. 

3.  Sometimes  there  are  avenues 
open  to  us  of  which  we  can  form  no 
conception  as  to  what  the  outcome 
will  be,  and,  therefore,  it  follows  that 
the  condition  named  is  not  necessary. 

4.  Unquestionably  not. 

5.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  one  to 
enter  the  most  inviting  field  for  the 
development  of  his  faculties  in  the 
sphere  of  his  usefulness. 

6.  No,  I  would  not. 

7.  Certainly  not. 

8.  Integrity  is  the  very  foundation 
of  all  success ;  without  it  there  can  be 
no  success. 

9.  Certainly. 

10.  He  certainly  should  be  deeply 
interested  in  his  work,  in  order  that 
the  result  may  be  successful. 


214  '^^^  ^oy  —  ^^w  to  Help  Him  Succeed 

11.  Experience  should  be  a  school-  Qf«oH-  PaKcam 
master,  and  should  also  be  of  daily  OLUdrt  ROUbOn 
acquisition.    What  is  termed  ability,  Highlands,  New  Jersey.    Actor. 

or  high    mental    endowment,   is    not  

necessarily  a  factor    in    success.     A  -r^           ^                  j-  ■      ^ 

keen,  active  mind  will,  however,  use  ,     ^'  Earnestness,    a    fair    degree    of 

experience  to  the  best  advantage.  honesty,  a  good  share  of  self-esteem 

12.  It  is  the  faithful  use  of  what  one  ^^^  ^,^?^^  b?}ief  m  the  superiority  of 
possesses  that  is,  after  all,  the  basis  ^y  calling  above  all  others. 

of  true  success.  ^'  J^®^" 

13.  If  the  conditions  are  favorable  to  3-  ^  es.  .  ,.  ^  .  .  , 
his  going  to  college,  the  cultivation  4-  Not  only  unwise,  but  criminal, 
of  his  mind   and  enlargement  of  his  I' tt   ^'  t  j     ,^  xi--  , 

mental  scope   are  unquestionably  of  .     6.  Yes;  I  don  t  think  a  country  life 

advantage  to  him  under  every  condi-  is  conducive  to  the  development  of 

tion  intellect  or  a   liberal  life.    A  bright 

14!  I  certainly  should,  if  the  condi-  ^^y  ^^^}^  ^^^^  no  material  progress 

tions  are  favorable.  ^^  country  surroundings. 

15.  Certainly.  7-  No. 

16.  That  would  seem  to  be  neces-  ^^  ^-  ^^^^  ^^  ^t®  great  fortunes  of 
sary.  the  world  have  been  built  by  honest 

17.' No,  I  do  not,  for  the  result  will  methods;  not  all,  I  fear, 

not  be  favorable.  9-  Industry  is  the  proper  word  for 

18.  A  trade,  by  all  means.  genius. 

19.  Provided  he   has    a  wholesome  ^°-  Yf?;.,     a     .      f 
conservatism  in  not  exposing  his  entire  ^^'  Ability  nrst,  ot  course, 
capital.  ^2.  No. 

20.  No,  I  would  not.    I  would  ad-  '3-  No. 
vise  no  one  to  borrow.  ^4*  ^o. 

21.  Recognizing    the    principles   in  ^1"  J!^*      r  xi.     1           j         *      • 
life  of  caufe  and  effect,  lack  of  fidel-  ^^-  ^^^  of  the  learned  professions, 
ity  and  want  of  proper  application  are  y^^'   ^ 

unquestionably   the    main    causes  of  ^7-  :^o.                         ^     ,   . 

failure  ^9*  Yes,  under  expert  advice. 

22.  in  my  judgment  the  books  20.  Yes  under  expert  advice, 
more  favorable  to  the  highest  devel-  ^i.  Lack  of  ambition.  .  ^  „  „  , 
opment  of  the  mind  and  the  more  22.  Dickens'  "  Oliver  Twist,"  Bal- 
consciousness,  are:  The  Bible,  Bun-  f^c's  "Louis  Lambert,"  Lea's  '/His- 
yan's  Pilgrim's  Progress,  Shakespeare,  ^pry  of  the  Inquisition,''  I  r  v  1  n  g's 
knd  the  biographies  of  distinguished  }^}^^  of  Goldsmith  "  Bartlett's  •'  Fa- 
men  who  have  achieved  success  in  ^'}}^''  ^Q^?V^^'"°^'  Shakespeare's 
life  in  the  sense  of  leaving  an  uplift-  Comedy  of  Errors. 

ing  influence  through  the  ages.  Among  ^3*  j^^s. 

such  men  I  would  name,  John  How-  ^4-  ^^s.                u     1  u           t. 

ard,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  William  25.  -Let  the  school-house  be  your 

E   Gladstone  cathedral,   good  works  your  religion. 

23.  As  to  reading  the  daily  news-  ^o  plough  is  to  pray,  to  plant  is  to 
papers,  one  has  to  be  familiar  with  P^^P.^^|^',  ,f°^  *^®  harvest  answers 
current   events   and    understand    the  ^^"  lumls. 

important  conditions  prevailing  in  the  

world.     It  would  be  hard  to  apply  the 

designation  "  good "  to  any  one  paper.  ^t          r\i»           *      n       1        < 

24.  No,  if  it  can  be  avoided.  Hon.  OllVCr  A.   Howlaild. 

tol47o- b^oaTeTfn^  flZkfZn.  ^--to.  Ontario.     Mayor  of   To- 

dition  and  your  minds  susceptible  to 

moral  impressions.     Be  faithful  in  all  

the  minor  details  of  life,  irrespective  2.  As  a  general  rule,  yes. 

of  the  circumstances    in  which   you  3.  Subject  to  No.  4,  no. 

are    placed.      A    boy  actuated   with  4.  Not  if  the  chosen  career  is  a  use- 

these  desires  will  certainly  be   sue-  ful  one,  with  possibilities  for  one  dili- 

cessful.  gent  in  it. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


215 


5.  Would,  if  he  has  the  brains  to 
utilize  the  opportunity  of  improving 
the  art  of  agriculture  as  manufactures 
have  been  improved. 

6.  Not  unless  he  has  unusual  talent. 
The  inflow  of  ambitious  competitors 
towards  cities  leaves  the  moderate  cer- 
tainties of  local  business  unimpaired. 

7.  It  depends  upon  the  source  of 
his  dislike.  If  from  dislike  of  work,  he 
had  better  overcome  it  at  home.  If 
from  ambition  and  sense  of  talent,  he 
had  better  first  study  his  home  oppor- 
tunities. 

8.  Yes,  except  on  the  stock  market. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  If  he  is  lazy  and  dislikes  work 
generally,  he  had  better  overcome  it, 
otherwise,  see  Nos.  3  and  4. 

11.  Ability  is  necessary  to  general- 
ize from  experience.  Both  are  neces- 
sary, as  the  tool  and  the  hand  are 
both  necessary. 

12.  Ability  will  prevent  attempting 
that  which  requires  experience. 

»  13.  If  he  makes  a  business  of  his  col- 
lege life,  it  will  help  him.  If  he  pur- 
sues it  without  purpose,  it  will  unfit 
him. 

14.  No,  except  for  a  scientific  course. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Necessarily. 

17.  No,  unless  to  prevent  his  being 
utterly  idle. 

18.  First,  agriculture;  second^  a 
trade. 

19.  Not  unless  special  local  oppor- 
tunities will  preserve  him  from  monop- 
olistic competition. 

20.  Would  not  without  a  certainty 
before  him. 

21.  Too  great  anxiety  for  success, 
without  regard  to  aptitude,  means, 
reasonal   e  opportunity,  and  honesty. 

22.  The  Bible,  teaching  principle  of 
duty,  philosophy  and  high  aims  of 
thought;  some  good  English  history, 
as  Green's,  to  enlarge  the  mind; 
the  best  humorists,  to  correct  self- 
conceit;  the  best  authorities  on  his 
special  line  of  work,  mechanical,  agri- 
cultural, economic,  or  professional. 

23.  If  he  can  afford  it,  and  does  not 
allow  it  to  lead  his  opinions  without 
criticism  or  individual  judgment. 

24.  Yes,  unless  he  has  a  strong  apti- 
tude in  another  direction,  or  the  busi- 
ness is  overdone  and  decaying. 

25.  Be  honest,  intellectually,  in  word 
and  in  act.  Be  not  too  discontented 
with  your  opportunities,  nor  too  con- 
tent with  your  achievements. 


Edward  W.  Pope 

Boston,  Mass.  Treasurer,  Pope- 
Robinson  Co.,  automobile  manufac- 
turers. For  19  years  treasurer.  Pope 
Mfg.  Co.,  makers  of  Columbia  bicycles. 

1.  To  seizing  the  best  opportunities 
offered,  and  then  working  persistently, 
faithfully,  and  honestly,  not  allowing 
speculation,  or  any  outside  business, 
to  interfere  with  duty,  but  at  the  same 
time  taking  enough  recreation  and 
exercise  to  keep  a  sound  mind  and  a 
healthy  body. 

2.  Yes,  if  his  best  advisers  do  not 
think  otherwise. 

3.  No,  but  think  one  should  love 
his  work  in  order  to  be  successful  in  it. 

4.  No,  not  if  the  boy  is  willing  to 
remain  poor  in  order  to  follow  the 
calling  he  loves. 

5.  Would  advise  him  to  leave  home, 
but  he  need  not  feel  obliged  to  go  to  a 
great  city. 

6.  No. 

7.  No,  if  he  is  fond  of  work.  If  ho 
is  not  fond  of  work,  yes. 

8.  Yes,  because  by  business  success 
I  mean  the  building  up  of  a  business 
that  will  last  a  lifetime  or  longer,  and 
in  order  to  do  that  one  must  have  the 
respect  of  the  community  in  which  he 
lives  and  the  support  of  true  friends, 
which  cannot  be  done  without  being 
strictly  honest. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience,  but  both  are  needed. 

12.  No,  not  to  be  permanent. 

13.  Not  unless  he  has  influential 
friends  to  help  him  after  he  graduates. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  but  there  may  be  exceptions. 
If  the  father  and  mother  are  very 
desirous  that  the  boy  should  go,  and 
are  positive  that  the  boy  will  not  be 
injured  morally  by  idle  college  asso- 
ciates, and  the  father  is  willing  to 
help  him  after  he  graduates,  it  might 
be  advisable  to  force  him. 

18.  A  trade  would  be  the  best.  | 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Not  until  he  has  saved  a  little 
capital  for  himself. 

21   Want  of  experience. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  LeS 
Mis^rables,  Empire  of  Business,  a 
good  life  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  a  good 
life  of  Alexander  the  Great. 


2i6  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


23.  Yes,  and  be  sure  to  take  one  that 
has  good  editorials  and  that  does  not 
enlarge  upon  the  latest  murders  and 
prize-fights. 

24.  Yes,  because  it  is  the  best  way 
to  benefit  by  the  father's  experience. 

25.  Be  honest  and  truthful.  Keep 
your  own  self-respect.  Do  not  specu- 
late. Do  not  endorse.  Do  nothing  to 
injure  your  health.  Tell  your  employer 
everything  he  ought  to  know  and 
everything  you  think  he  wants  to 
know. 


William  H.  Maxwell,  Ph.D. 

New  York  City.  City  Superintend- 
ent, of  Schools.  Author  of  school 
text-books. 


1.  My  ancestors.    Perseverance. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  A  small  city  first. 

6.  No. 

7.  No.  , 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  persistent  application. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Plato's 
Republic,  Goethe's  Faust,  Macaulay's 
Essays,  Tennyson's  Idylls  of  the  King. 

23.  Yes. 


Henry  Kirke  Bush^Brown 

New  York  City.    Sculptor.    Author. 


1.  Environment  and  a  wise  train- 
ing which  developed  the  ordinary 
virtues;  industry  and  patience;  deter- 
mination; etc. 

2.  Assuredly. 

3.  No,  if  will  power  and  courage 
are  constituent. 

4.  Every  child  should  be  brought 
up  to  honor  and  love  work  and  to  a 


great  extent  should  choose  his  own 
vocation. 

5.  If  he  has  ability  for  business 
success  and  has  an  opportunity  of  bet- 
terment, but  good  business  training 
is  as  needed  for  country  as  for  city  life. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Assuredly. 

10.  No;  but  loving  the  work  makes 
it  more  successful. 

11.  Ability  usually;  there  are  excep- 
tions, of  course. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes,  if  the  college  is  to  be  a 
means  to  the  better  preparation  for 
the  business. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  except  in  some  cases. 

18.  Trade  or  business. 

19.  If  with  a  reasonably  sure  pros- 
pect, yes. 

20.  No,  unusual  cases  excepted. 

21.  Lack  of  judgment. 

22.  Conduct  of  Life  by  Emerson, 
New  Testament,  Life  of  Lincoln,  Up 
from  Slavery  (Booker  T.  Washington), 
Destiny  of  Man  (John  Fiske),  The 
Coming  People  (Dole). 

23.  Read,  no.  To  keep  track  of  the 
big  movements  of  civilization  and 
trend  of  his  business  or  occupation, 
yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  patient  and  industrious,  hon- 
est and  helpful,  sober  and  courageous, 
modest  and  respectful;  above  all,  be 
happy  and  cheerful  and  cultivate  a 
habit  of  regularity. 


Hon.  Ignatius  A.  Sullivan 

Hartford,  Conn.  Mayor  of  Hart- 
ford. President,  Hartford  Central 
Labor  Union  and  Connecticut  Federa- 
tion of  Labor. 


1.  First,  to  an  ambition  that  I 
might  some  day  fill  an  important  posi- 
tion, which  would  materially  assist  in 
advancing  the  cause  of  the  common 
people.  Second,  honesty  of  purpose. 
Third,  diligence,  and  keeping  ever- 
lastingly at  it,  when  I  was  sure  I  was 
right. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No,  for  few  boys  have  sufficient 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


217 


knowledge  of  any  calling,  and  a  pro- 
nounced preference  comes  only  after 
experience  in  some  calling. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily,  but  one  must 
come  to  love  his  work  after  success 
comes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  Go  to  college  if  possible,  for  edu- 
cation is  the  wealth  of  the  world. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes,  if  possible. 

16.  Certainly. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade,  first,  which  may  develop 
in  him  an  ambition  to  rise  above  his 
workmates. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  good  reasoning. 
32.  History,  travel,  biography. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest;  make  friends;  be  am- 
bitious to  rise  above  your  present 
station  or  position. 


John  B.  Murphy,  M.  D. 

Chicago,  111.  Surgeon.  Professor 
of  Surgery,  Northwestern  University. 
Inventor  of  surgical  appliances. 


1.  (a)  Integrity  of  purpose;  (3)  per- 
sistence in  action;  (c)  indefatigable 
labor;  (cT)  devoting  attention  to  practi- 
cal and  live  topics;  (g)  prompt  action. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Enthusiasm  and  love  for  work 
are  necessary. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  has  a  strong  character, 
yes.  A  weak  character  will  be  swal- 
lowed up  in  the  whirlpool  of  a  large 
city.    If  he  has  a  strong  mother,  yes. 

6.  He  must  first  prove  that  he  is 
larger  than  the  place,  then  move  up. 

7.  It  depends  on  his  capacity  for 
labor;  a  lazy  farmer-boy  is  usually  a 
lazy  professional  or  business  man. 

8   Absolutely  necessary,  first,  last, 
and  always. 
9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 


11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  over-rides  experience  and 
teaches  the  fallacy  of  traditions. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Through  the  high  school. 

15.  Yes,  if  possible. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes,  by  all  means.  College  to 
many  boys  is  like  medicine:  it  may 
benefit  them  greatly,  though  they  dis- 
like taking  it. 

18.  The  ordinary  boy  very  fre- 
quently, under  proper  guidance, 
makes  the  master  man.  The  preco- 
cious youth  less  frequently  attains 
eminence  in  any  line. 

19.  To  go  into  business  for  himself, 
in  the  line  in  which  he  has  experience, 
if  possible;  but  go  into  business  for 
himself  without  experience,  if  neces- 
sary. 

20.  If  his  experience  has  demon- 
strated that  it  is  good  collateral  for 
the  capital,  yes;  otherwise,  go  into 
business  with  the  capital  which  he 
has. 

21.  Indolence  or  dishonest  labor. 

22.  That  depends  entirely  on  the 
boy's  mental  calibre.  It  is  not  what 
is  in  the  book,  but  it  is  what  the  boy 
is  capable  of  digesting  mentally,  and 
applying  to  the  conditions  of  life. 

23.  There  is  no  daily  paper  good  for 
a  boy. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest  with  yourself,  honest 
with  your  neighbor,  and  honest  with 
your  God.  Have  high  ideals ;  they  are 
easily  attainable,  if  you  work,  work, 
work. 


Hon.  John  B.  Cassoday 

Madison,  Wis.  Chief  Justice,  Su- 
preme Court  of  Wisconsin.  Author. 
Ex-Speaker,  Wisconsin  Legislature. 


I.  First,  a  firm  conviction  in  boy- 
hood that  I  must  rely  upon  my  own 
efforts,  and  do  whatever  I  attempted 
to  do  to  the  best  of  my  ability.  Sec- 
ond, impaired  health,  which  induced 
me  to  change  my  plan  of  life  and  re- 
frain from  manual  labor  and  become 
a  student  and  finally  a  member  of  the 
legal  profession.  Third,  devotion  to 
that  profession  and  its  ideal  stand- 
ards, and  permitting  no  permanent 
interruptions. 

g,  That  depends  upon  whether  the 


2l8 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


boy  has  stiflacient  years,  experience, 
and  judgement  to  comprehend  what  he 
really  prefers.  If  he  has  not,  his  de- 
cided preference  may  be  the  worst 
possible.  If  he  has,  then  to  follow  his 
preference  would  seem  to  be  wise. 

3.  No;  most  boys  would  choose 
what  appears  to  be  most  easy  and 
agreeable.  Real  success  consists  in 
surmounting  great  difficulties.  Such 
difficulties  are  not  always  attractive 
and  sometimes  are  very  repulsive  — 
especially  to  t  h  e  young.  A  ' '  pro- 
nounced preference  "  may  be  realized 
after  years  of  disagreeable  experience, 
which  would  have  been  spurned  be- 
fore the  experience. 

4.  No. 

5.  A  "  sparsely  settled  district "  is, 
as  a  general  rule,  a  far  safer  place  for 
a  boy  than  a  "great  city."  Most  of  the 
successful  men  in  great  cities  were 
brought  up  in  the  country.  The  coun- 
try will  usually  present  opportunities 
commensurate  with  the  abilities  of 
the  boy.  Except  under  special  cir- 
cumstances, the  country  boy  should 
keep  away  from  great  cities. 

6.  No. 

7.  If  the  farmer's  boy  does  not  like 
farming,  the  probability  is  that  he 
dislikes  any  kind  of  work.  In  early 
life,  I  knew  such  a  boy  —  the  son  of  a 
well-to-do-farmer.  The  last  I  knew  of 
him  he  was  a  criminal  tramp.  The 
boy,  who  is  not  willing  to  work  at 
whatever  he  is  capable  of  doing  and 
which  circumstances  seem  to  call  upon 
him  to  do,  will  almost  certainly  be  a 
failure  at  any  kind  of  work. 

8.  What  some  may  regard  as  suc- 
cess, as  mentioned  in  my  answer  to 
the  twelfth  question,  may  be  achieved 
without  strict  honesty,  but  permanent 
success  in  legitimate  business,  de- 
pending upon  the  confidence  and 
patronage  of  the  public,  can  only  be 
attained  by  strict  honesty. 

9.  Yes,  for  permanent  success  in 
legitimate  business. 

la  It  may  not  be  attractive  in  the 
beginning,  but  he  must  by  persistent 
application  learn  to  love  his  work  in 
order  to  enjoy  it  and  make  it  most 
successful. 

II.  Ability  may  exist  without  expe- 
rience, but  experience  cannot  exist 
without  some  ability.  Ability  is  the 
essential,  and  may  be  improved  by 
experience.  Ability  is  a  flexible  term, 
which  may  mean  much  or  little.  It  is 
essential  to  success. 


12.  That  depends  upon  what  is 
meant  by  success.  If  it  is  merely  to 
get  money,  that  may  be  accomplished 
by  a  sudden  discovery  or  a  lucky  in- 
vestment. If  it  is  merely  to  get  an 
office,  that  may  be  secured  without 
experience  by  clever  manipulation 
and  friendly  assistance.  If  it  means 
the  building  up  of  character  and  man- 
hood in  some  legitimate  business,  then 
great  success  can  only  be  accom- 
plished by  ability  improved  by  expe- 
rience. 

13.  Yes;  at  least  he  should  be  suf- 
ficiently educated  to  master  the  busi- 
ness he  intends  to  follow. 

14.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  13. 

15.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  13. 

x6.  Most  certainly,  especially  a 
learned  profession. 

17.  No;  better  force  him  to  do 
manual  labor  against  his  will. 

18.  I  would  advise  such  a  boy  to 
engage  in  such  labor  as  he  is  able  to 
comprehend  and  perform,  and  make 
no  attempt  to  enter  upon  any  trade  or 
business  or  profession  which  he  is  un- 
able to  comprehend  or  perform.  Suc- 
cess in  some  humble  calling  is  far 
preferable  to  failure  in  attempting 
impossibilities. 

19.  I  would  only  so  advise  in  case 
the  circumstances  and  conditions  are 
favorable  and  such  as  to  make  success 
fairly  probable.  Under  such  circum- 
stances and  conditions  there  would  be 
greater  opportunity  for  the  develop- 
ment of  manhood  and  character  as  a 
proprietor  than  as  a  mere  employee. 

20.  No. 

21.  A  lack  of  the  requisite  capacity, 
education,  energy,  and  persistency  to 
do  the  business  or  perform  the  ser- 
vices attempted. 

22.  The  Bible,  and  any  others  which 
are  most  attractive  and  tend  to  build 
up  moral  character  and  personal  and 
business  habits. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  Revere  God.  Cultivate  a  kindly 
spirit  toward  all  men,  especially  those 
with  whom  you  daily  mingle.  Obtain, 
as  soon  as  possible,  absolute  control 
over  your  appetites,  passions,  desires, 
and  conduct.  Cherish  friendships  and 
social  intercourse.  Be  sincere,  but 
not  dogmatic.  Refrain  from  all  ille- 
gitimate business  or  methods.  Culti- 
vate noble  impulses  and  high  ideals. 
Be  honest,  industrious,  economical, 
and  persistent  in  making  the  most  of 
opportunities  as  they  arise. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


219 


Admiral  Norman  H.  Farquhar 


Washington,  D.  C. 
Navy. 


Honesty  of  purpose. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

I  do  not. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Ability. 

No. 

Yes. 

No. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

A  business. 

Yes. 

No. 

Want  of  honest  application. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Be  honest  in  word  and  deed 


19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

United  States       21.  Lack  of  capital. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  a  good 
history  of  the  United  States,  Black- 
stone's  Commentaries,  a  good  history 
of  European  nations  and  their  depend- 
encies, a  good  book  on  the  sciences. 

23.  Not  one,  but  several. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  be  observing,  be 
thoughtful,  be  industrious. 


General  William  A.  Bancroft 

Boston,  Mass.  President,  Boston 
Elevated  R.R.  Lawyer.  President, 
Mayors'  Club  of  Massachusetts  and 
Cambridge  Club.  Commander,  Massa- 
chusetts Commandery  Military  Order 
of  Foreign  Wars  of  the  United  States. 


Fairness  and  industry. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

Not  necessarily. 


3- 
4- 
5- 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 


8.  As  a  rule  of  conduct,  yes;  but  it 
is  said  not  to  have  been  necessary  in 
some  cases. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  For  the  multitude,  experience. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  It  may  be,  if  he  is  in  opulent  cir- 
cumstances. 


Hon.  Alexander  Caldwell 

Leavenworth,  Kan.  President,  First 
National  Bank.  Ex-United  States 
Senator. 


1.  To  a  determination  at  an  early 
age  to  establish  a  character  for 
promptness  and  reliability  in  business 
and  to  so  conduct  myself  in  whatever 
I  might  undertake  as  to  at  least  de- 
serve success,  and  by  constant  effort 
to  accomplish  the  end  in  view. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  For  the  highest  success,  yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  is  ambitious  and  cap- 
able. 

6.  I  would  advise  him  first  to  make 
a  start  in  his  home-town.  If  he  de- 
velops ability  he  can  remove  later  to  a 
great  city. 

7.  No,  if  he  will  go  to  work  in  some 
other  calling. 

8.  Yes,  as  a  rule  for  permanent 
success,  although  many  honest  men 
fail,  while  some  unfair  and  dishonest 
men  succeed. 

9.  Yes;  no  great  result  can  be  at- 
tained without  hard  work. 

10.  Yes,  for  permanent  and  highest 
success. 

11.  Ability;  it  will  be  aided,  of 
course,  by  experience,  but  it  requires 
natural  ability  to  conceive  and  execute 
great  work. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  has  a  desire  to  do  so. 
Education  is  a  tool,  the  better  the 
tool  the  easier  the  work,  if  properly 
used. 

14.  While  not  necessary,  yet  if  the 
boy  is  ambitious  for  an  education,  I 
will  say,  yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 


220 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


17.  No ;  it  would  be  a  waste  of  time 
and  money. 
i8.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  partly  so. 

21.  Neglect  of  business,  improv- 
idence, extravagance,  haste  to  become 
rich,  and  general  lack  of  good  judg- 
ment. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  ancient  and 
modern  history,  Les  Mis6rables,  Ben 
Hur. 

23.  Yes;  the  boy  could  hardly  be 
intelligent  upon  the  questions  of  the 
day  without  doing  so. 

24.  No,  unless  he  possessed  a  de- 
cided taste  and  ability  for  it. 

25.  Cultivate  the  highest  aspira- 
tions; be  honorable,  industrious,  eco- 
nomical, energetic,  temperate,  con- 
siderate of  others,  and  know  no  such 
word  as  fail. 


Hon.  Alfred  Bayliss 

Springfield,  111.    State  Superintend- 
ent, Public  Instruction  of  Illinois. 


1.  Hard  work  and   common   hon- 
esty. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes,  for  full  success, 

4.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  Not  if  the  dislike  is  well  founded. 

8.  Certainly. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

12.  "Success"  is  a  plant  of  slow 
growth;  experience  is  essential. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Quite  immaterial  what  he  does 
until  ambition  hits  him. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Holmes' 
"Autocrats,"  Parkman's  Histories, 
Hay  and  Nicolay's  "'Lincoln." 

24.  If  father  and  business  are  both 
good,  yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  studious,  public- 
spirited,  punctual,  kind.  Prefer  a 
sixpence  earned  to  one  picked  up  in 
the  street.  If  you  are  in  business, 
and  a  buyer  cannot  find  what  he  wants 
in  your  stock,  suggest  to  him  that  he 
may  possibly  find  what  he  wants  over 
at  your  neighbor's  farm,  shop,  or 
factory. 


Samuel  R.  Callaway 

New  York  City.  President,  Ameri- 
can Locomotive  Co.  Late  President, 
New  York  Central  &  Hudson  River 
R.R.  and  Lake  Shore  &  Michigan 
Southern  R.R. 


1.  I  always  tried  to  make  my  em- 
ployer's interest  my  own,  irrespective 
of  any  difficulties  I  met  in  doing  so. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  In  many  cases. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  boy  with  little  ambition  is  of 
little  account  at  any  place  or  time. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Shiftlessness. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Milton,  Dick- 
ens, Thackeray,  George  Eliot. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest,  diligent,  courteous, 
and  always  tell  the  truth,  no  matter 
what  it  costs. 


Hon.  Morgan  G.  Bulkeley 

Hartford,  Conn.  Ex-Governor  of 
Connecticut.  President,  Aetna  Life 
Insurance  Co. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Generally. 

11.  Join  hands. 

12.  No. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes,  if  his  circumstances  will 
permit. 

16.  Most  certainly.  \ 

17.  No.  ^ 

18.  Probably  unsuccessful  in  either. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  221 


19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest,  industrious,  and  pa- 
triotic. 


William  Martin  Aiken 

New  York  City.  Architect.  Form- 
e  r  1  y  supervising  architect,  United 
S  t  a  t  e  s  Treasury  Department.  De- 
signed Government  exposition  build- 
ings at  Atlanta,  Nashville,  and  Omaha. 


1.  Physical  conditions:  good 
health.  Temperament:  cheerfulness, 
honesty,  integrity,  patient  persever- 
ance, gratification  in  helping  others, 
readiness  t  o  assume  responsibility. 
Experience:  endeavoring  to  do  the 
best  under  the  circumstances,  trust- 
ing the  results  will  justify  act  and 
motive,  learning  to  decide  promptly, 
definitely.  Observation :  (past)  the  en- 
couragement from  what  others  have 
done  in  spite  of  obstacles;  (present) 
study  of  human  nature  and  character. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  On  general  principles,  no,  but 
qualified  by  circumstances. 

5.  On  general  principles,  yes. 

6.  Not  as  a  boy;  later  in  life,  per- 
haps, yes. 

7.  On  general  principles,  no. 

8.  Absolutely  necessary  to  ultimate 
success. 

9.  Decidedly, 

10.  Certainly. 

11.  Ability  first;  experience  surely 
comes  to  the  one  who  wants  it,  and  is 
absolutely  necessary. 

13.  On  general  principles,  yes;  but 
it  depends  upon  the  character  of  the 
boy. 

15.  A  technical  school  is  of  un- 
doubted ultimate  advantage. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  Questionable. 

18.  First,  business;  second,  trade; 
third,  profession;  dependent  some- 
what upon  the  trade,  business,  or  pro- 
fession of  father  or  other  individual 
influencing  him. 

19.  On  general  principles,  yes. 

20.  Yes,  qualified,  however,  more 
by  the  young  man's  character  than  by 
opportunity  or  other  attendant  cir- 
cumstances. 


21.  Lack  of  (stick-to-it-iveness,  grit, 
perseverance,  stamina,  determination) 
character. 

22.  (a)  The  Bible,  (6)  Shakespeare, 
{c)  Life  of  George  Washington 
(Lodge's  or  Ford's),  (i/)  Life  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  (Morse's  or  Tarbell's),  (<f) 
Julius  Caesar  (J.  Anthony  Froude), 
( f)  Life  of  Alexander  the  Great 
(Benj.  Ide  Wheeler). 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  "  Be  sure  you  are  right,  then  go 
ahead;  "  stick  to  it  whatever  you  do; 
take  care  of  your  health;  and  "Do 
unto  others  as  you  would  have  them 
do  unto  you." 


Frank  K.  Cameron,  Ph.D. 

Washington,  D.  C.  Chemist.  Soil 
Expert,  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture.  Late  Research  Assist- 
ant and  Instructor  Physical  Chem- 
istry, Cornell  University. 


1.  {a)  The  abilitjr  to  make  a  con- 
centrated and  sustained  effort  to  meet 
a  piece  of  work,  {d)  A  good  general 
education,  and  a  thorough  training  in 
the  theory  and  philosophy  of  one  sub- 
ject; in  this  case,  chemistry,  (r)  A 
good  address,  {d)  The  ability  to  look 
at  the  problem  of  life,  or  business, 
objectively  rather  than  subjectively. 
((f)  The  encouragement,  assistance, 
and  support  of  my  wife. 

2.  Generally,  yes;  but  not  under 
all  circumstances  by  any  means. 

3.  No,  but  is  a  great,  if  not  the 
greatest,  factor. 

4.  No. 

5.  Generally,  I  would  not;  but  it 
would  depend  upon  the  boy  and  the 
surrounding  conditions. 

6.  No. 

7.  No,  if  his  leaving  does  not  bring 
unusual  hardship  to  some  one  else  to 
whom  he  owes  duty. 

8.  No,  but  I  believe  it  is  desirable, 
aside  from  ethical  or  religious  reasons, 
and  as  a  business  policy. 

9.  Yes,  but  not  in  the  sense  that- 
the  same  amount  of  application  should 
be  continuously  made.  Complete  re- 
laxation at  times  is  desirable. 

10.  No,  but  other  things  equal,  the 
love  of  his  work  will  make  the  man 
far  more  successful. 

11.  Ability. 


222 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


12.  No. 

13.  Not  always,  but  in  the  majority 
of  cases,  yes,  if  he  stops  with  the 
baccalaureate  degree. 

14.  Not  alwaj^s,  but  generally,  yes, 
if  he  stops  with  the  baccalaureate 
degree. 

15.  Yes,  generally. 

16.  Undoubtedly. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Self-indulgence. 

23.  Yes,  after  he  was  15  or  16  years 
of  age. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  scrupulously  honest.  Be 
gentle.  Practice  self-control.  Exer- 
cise your  will  power,  preferably  upon 
yourself.  Learn  to  look  at  things 
objectively.  Learn  to  look  at  things 
in  prospective,  giving  just  values, 
and  do  not  get  lost  in  details. 


Robinson,  Book  of  Proverbs,  The 
Four  Gospels,  Ivanhoe,  The  Kite 
Trust. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  his  father  had  been  suc- 
cessful. 

25.  Work,  work,  work.  Never  speak 
or  act  a  lie. 


Charles  H.  Greenleaf 

Boston,  Mass.  Proprietor,  Profile 
and  Flume  Houses,  White  Moun- 
tains, N.  H.,  and  Hotel  Vendome, 
Boston. 


Hon.  Rastus  S.  Ransom 

New  York  City.  Ex-Surrogate  of 
the  City  and  County  of  New  York. 
President,  Society  of  American  Au- 
thors.   Lawyer. 


1.  Close  application.  Temperate 
habits.  Plenty  of  sleep.  Wholesome 
food.  Punctuality  in  all  things.  Re- 
spectful consideration  of  the  opinions 
of  others,  and  after  all,  thinking  it  out 
for  myself.  Making  my  word  as  good 
as  my  bond,  and  never  pleading  the 
"baby-act." 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

6.  Depends  on  the  boy  and  what 
chances  are  offered  in  both  places. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  and  the  stricter  the  better. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes ;  experience  can  be  acquired. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Never. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  application,  and  dis- 
honesty. 

22.  Tale  of  Two  Cities,  Swiss  Family 


I.  To  accepting,  years  ago,  the 
kindly  advice  of  a  Christian  gentle- 
man, a  stranger,  *'  whether  in  the 
body,  I  cannot  tell;  or  whether  out  of 
the  body,  I  cannot  tell;  God  knoweth." 
To  association  with  those  older  than 
myself  as  friends  and  partners  in 
business.  In  this  I  had  the  benefit  of 
their  experience  and  credit.  I  was 
willing  to  do  the  work;  they  did  not 
object.  It  gave  me  experience  and  an 
honored  position.  To  having  kept  my 
expenses  below  my  income,  that  each 
new  year  might  show  a  balance  in  my 
favor.  When  necessary  to  borrow 
money  in  my  business,  to  having  se- 
cured it  all  in  one  place.  Better  $10,000 
to  one  than  $500  to  twenty.  Talk 
injures  credit. 

2.  The  boy  should  advise  with  his 
parents  and  with  successful  business 
men  —  no  others,  before  choosing. 

3.  No,  the  great  success  of  many 
men  has  been  in  a  line  of  business 
entirely  foreign  to  their  tastes.  It  was 
ability  and  accepting  the  situation. 

4.  No.  If  the  boy's  preference, 
however,  is  not  pleasmg  to  the  par- 
ents, who  should  know  his  ability,  they 
should  agree  upon  something  satisfac- 
tory to  both. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  strength  of  char- 
acter to  stand  the  temptations  and  is 
ambitious  to  succeed  in  life. 

6.  No;  if  he  is  successful  in  the 
smaller  place,  opportunities  will  come 
for  the  larger  one. 

7.  No ;  let  him  try  his  fortune  else- 
where. If  he  fails,  no  fear  about  his 
returning. 

8.  No;  the  successful,  dishonest 
man,  however,  has  little  respect  in 
the  community. 

9.  Yes,    while  in    active  business. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  223 


One  can  accomplish  more  in  eleven 
months  of  the  year  than  in  twelve, 
however. 

10.  Not  necessarily;  a  desire  to  suc- 
ceed should  be  the  strongest  factor. 
Many  men  forget  their  bank  account 
in  love  and  pride  of  their  calling. 

11.  Experience.  It  teaches  the  art 
of  dealing  with  men,  the  great  secret 
of  success. 

12.  Yes;  ability  is  a  power  and  soon 
gains  experience  in  contact  with  the 
world. 

13.  If  it  is  his  desire.  Do  not  urge 
it  unless  you  wish  to  turn  him  from 
business  pursuits.  His  college  life 
will  bring  new  ideas. 

14.  No.  While  a  college  training  is 
desirable,  the  time  given  to  it  would 
prepare  one  for  a  mechanical  trade 
and  an  earlier  start  in  business. 

15.  Yes;  he  learns  much  in  a  techni- 
cal school  that  is  important,  and  which 
would  take  years  to  acquire  at  his 
trade. 

16.  Yes;  aside  from  the  knowledge 
acquired,  it  gives  him  a  better  stand- 
ing with  his  fellows. 

17.  No,  but  I  should  force  him  into 
something  at  which  he  may  earn  his 
own  living,  rich  or  poor.  There  should 
be  a  law  compelling  every  able-bodied 
boy  to  labor,  as  much  as  a  law  to 
prevent  crime. 

i8.  A  trade.  He  would  be  a  failure 
in  business  or  a  profession.  $5,000 
spent  to  educate  a  $500  boy  is  poor 
judgment. 

19.  No;  if  he  has  ability  to  succeed 
alone,  he  will  command  a  large  salary, 
and  later  become  a  partner. 

20.  No.  Let  him  reach  the  head  of 
salaried  men  in  present  business,  save 
his  earnings,  and  he  will  accomplish 
more.  Interest  works  nights  and 
Sundays. 

21.  Mother's  love  and  kindness.  A 
fear  of  soiling  the  hands,  or  doing 
what  father  did,  ruins  the  business 
prospects  of  many  boys.  With  men, 
rents — too  expensive  buildings,  stores, 
hotels,  homes.  The  old  story— can- 
not pay  the  rent. 

22.  The  Bible,  Josiah  Strong's  "  Our 
Country,"  Elbert  Hubbard's  "Mes- 
sage to  Garcia,"  his  own  cash-book,  a 
grammar,  and  spelling  book.  The 
last  two  are  recommended  from  long 
experience  with  boys,  both  in  and  out 
of  college,  who  have  applied  for  posi- 
tions. Ambitious  boys  will  read  good 
books  enough  naturally,      r     . 


23.  Yes,  if  he  can  find  one  neutral 
in  politics;  if  not,  two,  one  of  each 
dominant  party.  To  reach  the  truth, 
both  sides  must  be  heard. 

24.  No,  unless  a  profitable  one;  the 
boy  should  not  be  required  to  give  his 
time  to  a  failing  concern.  If  profitable, 
then  on  conditions.  He  should  receive 
no  favors  not  granted  to  others  in 
business. 

25.  Read  your  Bible  daily;  it  will  do 
you  good  in  spite  of  yourself.  Join 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  that  you  may  have  a 
place  to  spend  your  evenings  and 
pass  the  leisure  hours  in  good  com- 
pany. Keep  your  word.  Be  careful 
about  your  promises  and  the  use  of 
your  signature.  Locate  your  business 
where  you  can  get  good  prices.  Never 
quarrel  with  a  man  that  is  paying 
you  money.  Never  speculate.  The 
ox-team  gets  across  the  prairie  first. 
Let  others  do  the  talking.  Words 
not  spoken  require  no  apologies.  Don't 
do  anything  on  Sunday  that  you  would 
not  do  week-days.  Spread  out  your 
goodness.  You  will  make  some  mis- 
takes in  business;  don't  be  dis- 
couraged; all  the  ways  of  making 
them  have  not  been  discovered  yet. 
Unless  you  can  find  one  honest  man 
that  recommends  the  use  of  liquor  and 
tobacco,  drop  them.  If  in  a  bad  mood, 
walk  fifty  miles  to  see  a  person  rather 
than  write  — you  will  cool  off. 


Joel  W.  Burdick 

Albany,  N.  Y.  General  Passenger 
Agent,  Delaware  &  Hudson  R.R. 
Director  in  several  corporations. 


1.  Largely  to  a  fortuitous  combina- 
tion of  circumstances,  coupled  with  a 
natural  willingness  to  assume  respon- 
sibilities if  necessary. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No;  few  youngsters  have  any 
intelligent  preferences. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  enterprise  enough 
to  strike  out  for  himself. 

6.  Yes,  if  he  should  want  to  do  so. 
If  he  fails,  he  will  probably  return  to 
the  smaller  field. 

7.  No,  if  he  cannot  be  taught  to 
like  it. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 


224 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


10.  Necessarily. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  but,  of  course,  experience 
is  gained  in  the  process  of  achieving 
success;  in  one  case  quickly,  in  an- 
other slowly. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Every  boy,  who  has  the  oppor- 
tunity and  desire  to  go  to  college, 
should  do  so.  If  he  can  go  to  college, 
he  probably  will  not  want  to  learn  a 
trade. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  and  he  should  always  be 
prudently  in  debt;  large  operations 
cannot  be  conducted  otherwise. 

21.  Indolence  and  lack  of  natural 
ability. 

22.  The  Bible, first;  Ruskin's  '*  Mod- 
ern Painters,"  to  develop  a  love  of 
nature  and  art ;  Tennyson ;  after  these, 
any  good  literature.  The  boy  can 
then  be  trusted  to  choose  the  best. 
Shakespeare  and  Scott  will  naturally 
follow. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  the  father  is  founding  a 
business  or  profession. 

25.  That  the  greatest  blessing  vouch- 
safed to  man  is  the  capacity  to  labor. 
That  the  popular  doctrine  that  work  is 
an  evil  is  a  fallacy.  He  can  ask  no 
higher  privilege  than  to  be  permitted 
to  work  along  the  lines  of  usefulness 
in  any  field.  There  can  be  no  higher 
happiness  than  that  which  comes  from 
a  sense  of  fulfilled  duty.  To  be  patri- 
otic and  ambitious  to  help  in  the  great 
constructive  work  now  under  way  in 
the  building  up  of  our  country's  great- 


Rev.  W.  C.  Bitting,  D.D. 

New    York    City.      Pastor,    Mount 
Morris  Baptist  Church. 


I.  Thoroughness,  or  conscience  in 
work.  No  slighting  of  details  in  any- 
thing. I  desire  this  to  be  a  compre- 
hensive conception,  and  applied  to 
study,  friendships,  work,  rest,  morals, 
and  everything  else.  It  is  the  sur- 
render of  the  whole  of  one's  self  to 
both  the  immediate  duty,  and  the  ideal 
of  life,  body,  mind,  will,  time,  unre- 


servedly dedicated  to  the  utmost  pos- 
sible conscientious  use. 

2.  Not  always.  Preference  may  be 
a  fancy  only.  Few  boys  are  able  to 
decide  in  this  way.  One  ought  to  do 
what  he  is  qualified  for  doing.  Struc- 
ture indicates  function,  in  plant,  ani- 
mal, machine,  or  man. 

3.  Love  for  work  is  part  of  necessity 
for  success  in  it.  No  one  can  do  best 
what  he  does  not  want  to  do,  but  con- 
science can  work  wonders. 

4.  No;  it  is  folly  for  any  person  to 
mould  another's  life  in  any  such  way. 
"Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  HE 
should  go,"  not  your  way. 

5.  No;  if  by  success  you  mean 
money-making,  then,  of  course,  the 
mad  chase  of  the  dollar  will  lead  to 
anywhere  or  anything  to  make  it ;  but 
that  is  a  poor  idea  of  success. 

6.  No. 

7.  ' '  Like  "  is  elastic.  Some  persons 
like  no  work;  no  lazy  man  likes  any 
work.  Boys  and  men  and  women  are 
queer  things.  They  always  like  some- 
thing else  than  what  they  are  and 
have. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Which  wing  of  a  bird  contributes 
more  to  its  flying? 

12.  Which  wing  of  a  bird  contributes 
more  to  its  flying? 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No;  let  him  be  a  drudge  forever 
if  he  will  not  be  anything  else. 

18.  Wake  him  up.  No  boy,  not  an 
idiot,  is  ordinary  if  he  is  touched  in 
his  deepest  self. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  An  unwillingness  to  pay  the 
price  for  success. 

22.  The  Bible,  a  good  dictionary,  a 
good  geography,  any  books  except 
novels  that  are  trashy. 

23.  Yes,  a  good  paper. 

24.  If  in  accord  with  principles  stated 
above. 

25.  Trust  God  and  man.  Be  thorough 
in  the  use  of  all  your  powers,  physi- 
cal, mental,  moral,  social.  Never 
waste  one  moment.  Be  careful  with 
tongue  and  pen.  Have  a  true  ideal 
and  work  towards  it  unflinchingly. 
Learn  from  defeat.  Never  compro- 
mise with  wrong.  Discover  your  own 
peculiar   powers   and   shape  life  ac- 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


225 


cordiflgly.    Remember  that  there   is 
another  fellow  in  the  world  also. 

Remarks.  Success  defined:  It  is 
the  approach  of  ability  to  possibility, 
the  ratio  between  attainment  and  the 
ideal.  It  has  not  reference  to  mere 
money-making,  but  to  manhood.  It 
is  not  the  same  for  all  persons,  but 
varies  according  to  individual  possi- 
bility, or  ideal.  The  ratio  may  be  the 
same  for  persons  with  varying  abili- 
ties. It  is  not  in  imitation  of  another. 
Each  bird  sings  its  own  note;  each 
flower  has  its  own  form,  color,  and 
perfume;  each  tree  its  own  peculiar 
iruit;  each  energy  of  nature  its  own 
special  function.  So  each  person  has 
his  own  (not  another's)  special  mis- 
sion. He  succeeds  as  his  ability  ap- 
proaches his  possibility,  as  he  attains 
his  own  ideal  which  is  indicated  for 
him  by  his  peculiar  qualities  of  being. 
Herein  lies  the  crime  of  forcing 
another  person  against  his  will  or 
nature.    It  violates  God's  will  for  that 

Person's  life  and  work  as  indicated  in 
is  structure  as  much  as  if  we  tried  to 
make  one  bird  sing  another's  note, 
one  energy  of  nature  perform  another's 
function,  etc.  All  callings  in  life  are 
divine,  since  God  calls  to  all  by  struc- 
ture of  being.  Get  the  boys  away 
from  the  vulgar  notion  that  success 
relates  to  wealth,  and  fill  them  with 
the  ideas  gpiven  above. 


Rev.  Ballington  Booth 

New    York   City.     President, 
Volunteers  of  America. 


The 


1.  To  a  resolution  to  conform  my 
life  to  certain  fixed  principles,  among 
them  being:  {a)  To  honor  God  in  all 
things.  (3)  To  be  strictly  honest  in  all 
transactions,  (c)  To  regard  difficulties 
as  stepping  stones  to  success,  (d)  To 
do  all  I  do  with  my  might,  {e)  To  avoid 
postponing  until  to-morrow  what 
should  be  done  to-day 

2.  Most  certainly. 

3.  Yes,  every  time.  Then  the  boy 
will  throw  his  heart  and  energy  into  it. 

4.  Most  assuredly  not.  It  would  mar 
his  prospects  and  happiness  in  work. 

7.  Certainly  not. 

8.  Most  assuredly,  to  the  right  kind 
of  success. 

9.  Yes,  to  almost  all  degrees  of 
success. 


10.  Yes,  to  make  the  most  of  it. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Little;  it  is  invariably  experience 
that  brings  success. 

13.  If  his  parents  can  afford  it,  col- 
lege life  is  in  itself  an  experience. 

16.  Most  assuredly. 

17.  No;  a  forced  boy  rarely  gains 
experience  or  attains  success. 

18.  I  would  wait  until  the  boy's 
mind  developed  to  see  what  it  is  fitted 
for. 

20.  No!  No!!  borrowing  is  a  bad 
start  in  life. 

21.  Lack  of  application  and  stability 
of  character. 

22.  The  Bible,  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's 
Progress,  a  good  Life  of  George  Wash- 
ington, Barnes'  History  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  Smile's  Self-Help, 
and  others. 

24.  Depends  upon  (a)  the  boy's  call- 
ing, and(^)  the  parents'  circumstances. 

25.  Resolve  that  you  will  put  God 
first  in  your  life;  never  do  anything 
your  heart  tells  you  is  wrong;  and  not 
least  throw  your  whole  soul  and  being 
into  whatever  you  undertake;  and  all 
will  be  well. 


J.  Walter  Thompson 

New  York  City.  President,  The 
J.  Walter  Thompson  Co.,  advertising 
agents.    Capitalist  and  financier. 


I.  Hustle. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Yes. 

8.  Yes,  surely. 

9.  Yes,  surely. 

10.  Desirable,  but  not  necessary. 

11.  Both. 

12.  Sometimes. 

13.  If  he  can. 

14.  If  he  can. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

18.  Put  him  on  a  ranch. 

19.  Not  until  he  is  over  thirty. 

21.  Outside  speculation. 

22.  Pushing  to  the  Front  (Marden), 
Winning  his  Way  (Coffin),  Ivanhoe 
(Scott),  ^sop's  Fables,  Robinson 
Crusoe,  Swiss  Family  Robinson. 

23.  Not  until  he  is  twenty-one. 

24.  All  right  to  enter  his  father's 
business,  but  not  with  his  father. 


226 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Edward  R.  Johnstone 

Minneapolis,  Minn.  Editor-in-Chief, 
The  Minneapolis  Times.  Was  in  charge 
of  fleet  of  dispatch  boats,  Spanish- 
American  War,  at  Key  West  in  Ha- 
vana and  Santiago  blockades,  and  in 
Puerto  Rico. 


1.  Opportunity  and  assiduity. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Depends  on  circumstances;  usu- 
ally, no. 

7.  No. 

8.  Of  course. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  If  he  can  afford  it. 

15.  Preferably. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  He  should  have  a  preference. 
23.  Naturally. 

25.  Be  patriotic,  fearless,  charitable 
Americans. 


Joseph  M.  Rice,  M.D. 

New  York  City.   Editor,  The  Forum. 
Physician.     Author.    Educator. 


The  power  of  concentration. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

Yes. 
la  No. 
II.  Ability. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  The  more  general  education,  the 
better  for  the  boy. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Business. 

19.  It  depends  upon  his  business  ca- 
pacity. Many  men  of  [experience  and 
ability  can  do  better  for  others  than 
for  themselves. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  business  ability. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Take  an  interest  in  what  you  are 
doing. 


Victor  C.  Alderson,  A.M. 

Chicago,  111.  Dean,  Armour  Insti- 
tute of  Technology.  Writer  on  scien- 
tific and  mathematical  subjects. 


1.  Work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Extravagance. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Work. 


Charles  Knowles  Bolton 

Boston,    Mass.     Librarian,    Boston 
Athenaeum.    Author. 


2.  Usually. 

3.  No. 

5.  He  owes  it  to  his  home  to  stay 
there  unless  he  is  unusually  able  and 
bright  and  so  fitted  for  a  larger  sphere. 
It  is  a  pity  for  most  boys  to  give  up 
farming  for  a  clerk's  life. 

6.  No,  unless  very  ambitious,  in 
which  case  he  will  go  in  time  whatever 
you  say  to  him. 

7.  Possibly  not. 

8.  In  details,  yes ;  in  great  matters 
I  have  formed  my  opinion  from  the 
newspapers. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Hardly.  If  a  man  loves  his  fam- 
ily he  will  respect  his  work  that  brings 
support. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Usually. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Perhaps  not. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


227 


15.  Yes,  probably. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  If  of  intellectual  family,  yes. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes,  in  time. 

20.  "  Nothing  succeeds  like  success." 

21.  Lack  of  a  feeling   of   responsi- 
bility. 

22.  Message  to   Garcia.    Biography. 

23.  The  first  and  editorial  pages  are 
enough. 

24.  If  he  does  not  need  the  experi- 
ence of  "  standing  on  his  own  feet." 

25.  Read  the  Message  to  Garcia. 


and    then    there    are    hundreds     of 
books. 

23.  By  all  means. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  likes  the  business  and 
doesn't  know  more  than  his  father. 

25.  Have  an  eye  to  your  employer's 
interests;  be  ambitious  to  reach  the 
top  of  his  trade  or  profession;  culti- 
vate good  habits  and  good  associates; 
always  keep  your  appointments  to  the 
minute;  be  manly;  have  clean  hands; 
be  neat  in  person;  under  no  circum- 
stances be  ashamed  of  your  Christian 
profession. 


William  B.  Clark 


Hon.  Joseph  B.  Moore 


Hartford,   Conn.    President,  Aetna    ^h^^S^^^H^^  J^^^^^^'    Supreme 


Fire  Insurance  Company. 


Court  of  Michigan. 


1.  Hard  work,  long  hours,  and 
strict  devotion  to  employer's  interests. 
Made  myself  so  indispensable  that 
when  opportunities  for  promotion 
came  in  sight,  they  couldn't  do  other- 
wise than  hand  them  over. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No;  for  when  something  else  is 
taken  up,  preferences  often  change. 

4.  No. 

5.  It  all  depends;  some  of  our 
brightest  lights  have  been  country 
boys  with  limited  education. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Most  decidedly. 

10.  As  a  rule,  but  there  are  excep- 
tions. 

11.  Both. 

12.  Yes,  for  the  experience  is  soon 
gained. 

13.  Yes  and  no;  there  are  advan- 
tages in  college  life,  but  most  boys, 
when  through,  are  too  old  to  com- 
mence at  the  bottom. 

14.  No;  good  grammar  and  high 
school  education  sufificient. 

15.  Technical  school  is  a  good  thing 
for  him. 

16.  Certainly. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes,  if  a  good  executive. 

20.  As  a  rule  should  say,  no. 

21.  Eye-servant;  watching  the  clock 
for  time  to  quit. 

22.  The  Bible,  of  course;  a  good 
monthly  magazine ;  a  trade  or  prof es- 
sional  paper  relating  to  his  business; 


1.  Deciding  early  what  I  wanted  to 
be.    Honesty,  diligence,  industry. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  As  a  rule,  no. 

5.  Not  if  he  intends  pursuing  a 
calling  where  his  field  would  be  in  the 
country,  but  if  the  calling  he  selects 
finds  its  largest  field  in  the  city,  yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Without  ability  no  great  success 
can  be  attained. 

12.  Experience  is  greatly  to  be  de- 
sired, but  if  one  has  ability  he  will 
soon  get  experience  also. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  without  too  great 
self-denial. 

14.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  13. 

15.  Yes,  if  possible. 

16.  Decidedly  so. 

17.  No. 

18.  Unless  his  ambition  can  be 
aroused,  it  won't  make  much  differ- 
ence.   He  will  not  be  a  success. 

19.  Not  unless  I  knew  the  surround- 
ings. In  many  cases  I  should  answer, 
yes. 

'     20.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  19. 

21.  To  bad  habits. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Emer- 
son's Essays. 

23.  Good  daily  paper,  yes. 

24.  If  he  has  an  aptitude  for  it. 

25.  Decide  early  what  you  want  to 
do.  Be  honest.  Be  diligent.  Do  not 
be  impatient.  All  things  come  to 
those  who  wait. 


228 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


William  R.  George 


Freeville,  N.  Y. 
Junior  Republic. 


Founder  of  George 
Philanthropist. 


1.  To  my  mother's  persistency  and 
prayers. 

2.  Every  time,  providing  the  busi- 
ness be  of  an  honorable  nature. 

3.  Generally.  However,  I  know  of 
one  or  two  exceptional  cases  where  a 
feeling  of  duty  to  family  and  parents 
has  entered  into  the  equation  and  a 
fair  amount  of  success  has  been 
achieved,  although  the  individual  has 
not  been  fond  of  his  occupation. 

4.  In  my  opinion  the  parent  has  no 
right  whatsoever  in  this  direction, 
providing  the  occupation  preferred  by 
the  boy  is  honorable. 

5.  Certainly,  providing  the  boy  is 
not  fond  of  agriculture  or  endowed 
with  a  desire  to  be  helpful  to  the  peo- 
ple of  the  sparsely  settled  community. 

6.  This  is  a  hard  question  to  answer. 
It  depends  entirely  upon  the  indi- 
vidual boy  and  his  opportunities  in 
either  place. 

7.  By  no  means.  Still  a  boy  may 
be  interested  in  scientific  agriculture, 
while  agriculture  along  the  old  lines 
may  bore  him.  I  am  convinced  that 
many  good  boys,  who  are  failures,  or 
only  partially  successful,  in  the  city, 
would  be  successful  men  upon  farms 
at  the  old  homestead,  if  the  father  had 
given  them  a  short  course  in  some 
agricultural  school. 

8.  Most  assuredly. 

9.  Every  time. 

la  In'99  cases  out  of  every  100,  maxi- 
mum success,  and  in  9  cases  out  of  10 
a  fair  amount  of  success. 

11.  Both  are  absolutely  necessary. 

12.  No,  because  as  soon  as  ability  is 
put  in  practice  a  certain  measure  of 
experience  is  the  result. 

13.  If  possible,  but  by  no  means  ab- 
solutely essential.  Everything  de- 
pends on  the  boy. 

14.  It  would  be  a  fine  thing,  provid- 
ing the  boy  desires  to  do  so,  but  by 
no  means  positively  essential  to  suc- 
cess. 

15.  If  it  be  possible. 

16.  It  would  be  best  in  many  ways. 

17.  By  no  means. 

18.  It  would  be  very  hard  to  give  ad- 
vice in  this  matter.  I  think  in  such  a 
case  it  might  be  well  for  the  boy  to 
get  a  little  practical  experience  in  all 


three  fields;  although  in  certain  case 
this  method  might  be  considered  ques 
tionable,  as  it  might  have  a  tendenc; 
to  unsettle  a  certain  class  of  boyj 
All  boys  are  more  or  less  inclined  t 
change  occupations  in  their  earl 
years  of  business  life. 

19.  This  depends  entirely  upon  th 
general  characteristic  traits  of  th 
young  man  and  his  employers.  Hi 
future  prospects  would  also  enter  int 
the  problem. 

20.  Sometimes,  although  it  is  ver 
risky. 

21.  There  are  many  reasons,  but  i 
asked  the  principal  one,  I  should  saj 
lack  of  stick-to-itiveness. 

22.  The  Bible;  History  of  the  Unite 
States;  Les  Mis6rables;  Robinso 
Crusoe;  Thrift,  by  Smiles;  the  Life  c 
Abraham  Lincoln. 

23.  Certainly. 

25.  Don't  get  on  "Easy  Street. 
"  Nothing  without  labor." 


Hon.  Charles  C.  Nott 

Washington,  D.  C.  Chief  Justlci 
United  States  Court  of  Claims.  At 
thor. 


1.  Ambition  and  hard  work. 

2.  Yes,  if  he  really  knows  all  abot 
it.  No,  if  his  decided  preference  i 
merely  a  boy's  fancy. 

3.  No.  Witness  General  Grant  wh 
had  an  aversion  to  a  military  life. 

it  4.  Certainly  not,  though  Horac 
Binney's  step-father  forced  him  to  b 
a  great  lawyer  when  the  boy  wante 
to  be  a  poor  doctor. 

5.  No.  I  would  advise  him  to  go  t 
a  good  agricultural  country.  I  woul 
not  take  the  responsibility  of  advisin 
any  boy  to  go  to  a  great  city. 

6.  See  No.  5. 

7.  I  must  first  know  what  the  bo 
does  like.  I  have  a  poor  opinion  c 
boys  who  don't  like. 

8.  Not  necessary,  but  the  sures 
road  to  it. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  True  ability  seizes  and  uses  th 
experience  of  others. 

14.  No;  mechanical  things  must  b 
acquired  early. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Assuredly. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


229 


17.  College  is  a  poor  place  for  any- 
one who  is  not  trjring  to  get  all  the 
good  he  can  out  of  it. 

18.  The  smaller  his  field,  the  better. 

19.  That  would  depend  on  the  young 
man  and  the  fair  salary. 

20.  No. 

21.  Want  of  foresight. 

22.  Booker  Washington's  Autobiog- 
raphy, Macaulay's  Miscellanies,  Irv- 
ing's  Life  of  Washington,  Stoddard's 
Inside  the  White  House,  Bancroft's 
United  States  History,  Ripley  and 
Dana's  Book  of  Household  Poetry. 

23.  No;  never  a  daily  paper,  but, 
carefully,  a  good  weekly. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Never  let  another  boy  make  you 
act  like  a  fool. 


Theodore  N.  Ely,  C.E.,  M.A. 

Philadelphia,   Pa.    Chief  of  Motive 
Power,  Pennsylvania  R.R. 


1.  Hard  work. 

2.  Yes,  decided  preference,  if  the 
boy  is  old  enough  to  realize  what  that 
means. 

3.  No,  but  more  strength  of  char- 
acter is  involved. 

8.  Decidedly,  yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily  for  money-get- 
ting; for  his  happiness,  yes. 

13.  By  all  means. 

14.  By  all  means. 

15.  If  he  cannot  have  both  a  college 
and  technical  training,  he  should 
choose  the  latter 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  Yes,  for  at  least  one  year.  He 
will  know  more  what  it  means  after 
that. 

18.  Give  him  a  tonic  and  plenty  of 
fresh  air,  which  may  help  his  ambition ; 
without  that  he  would  not  count  for 
much. 

21.  Generally  speaking,  failure  to 
apply  himself  seriously  to  the  work 
in  hand. 

23.  Yes ;  it  should  be  chosen  by  an 
elder  person. 

24.  Yes,  after  a  thorough  education, 
and  if  the  father  has  been  successful. 

25.  Prepare  for  college ;  go  to  college, 
even  if  you  have  to  borrow  the  money ; 
work  hard  in  college  and  work  still 
harder  when  you  enter  upon  your  life 
work. 


Hon.  Henry  R.  Edmunds 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  President,  Phila- 
delphia Board  of  Education.  United 
States  Commissioner.  Trustee,  Free 
Libraries. 


1.  To  hard  work,  punctuality  in 
keeping  my  appointments,  and  fidelity 
at  all  times  to  fact. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No,  not  if  the  boy  has  true  grit; 
otherwise,  yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Certainly;  no  man  should  goto 
bed  with  another  man's  money  in  his 
pocket  if  it  can  be  avoided. 

9.  Yes. 
ID.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  although  experience  would 
be  a  great  help. 

13.  Not  necessarily. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Dishonesty,  untruthfulness,  neg- 
ligence, inattention,  too  many  side 
issues,  carelessness,  and  absence  of  a 
general  education  and  sound  prin- 
ciples. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Work,  and  be  truthful  and  hon- 
est. 


William  B.  Howland 

New  York     City.     Treasurer    and 
manager.  The  Outlook, 


1.  Work.  Restlessness.  Opportun- 
ity, and  readiness  to  accept  it.  En- 
thusiasm and  efficiency  of  associates 
and  co-workers. 

2.  Certainly. 

3.  Eminently  desirable,  at  least. 

4.  No. 

5.  A  town  or  smaller  city  first,  if 
possible. 

6.  Not  till  he  outgrows  the  smaller 
place. 


230 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


7.  Not  by  force. 

8.  Of  course. 

9.  Certainly. 

10.  To  be  most  successful. 

11.  Both. 

13.  Yes,  if  his  family  can  afford  the 
expense,  or  if  he  has  grit  enough  to 
earn  it. 

14.  Not  if  he  means  to  be  a  day 
laborer  only.  Yes,  if  he  learns  it  as  a 
step  to  leadership  in  business. 

15.  If  he  wishes  to  be  boss. 

16.  Of  course. 

17.  No. 

18.  The  thing  nearest  at  hand,  and 
then  acquire  ambition. 

21.  Lack  of  ability  to  succeed. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Pil- 
grim's Progress,  Robinson  Crusoe, 
Life  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  The  Man 
Without  a  Country. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  the  opportunity  is  good. 

25.  Do  to-day  the  duty  of  to-day. 
Enjoy  some  wholesome  fun  every  day. 
Know  the  details  of  your  work  and 
your  play,  thoroughly.  Spend  less 
money  than  you  earn  or  receive  as  an 
allowance,  and  keep  a  rigid  account  of 
income  and  expenses.  Keep  clean  in 
body,  mind,  and  soul.  Fill  your  pres- 
ent place  so  well  that  you  will  have  a 
better  one  later. 


18.  A  trade,  under  an  indenture 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Too  rapid  expansion. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No ;  or  not  until  he  has  gotten  his 
knowledge  of,  and  experience  in  it, 
elsewhere. 

25.  Be  honest,  be  patient,  be  perse- 
vering, and  work.  Don't  be  forever 
telling  about  what  you  are  going  to  do, 
but  do  it. 


Joseph  W.  Phinney 

Boston,  Mass.  Boston  manager  and 
director,  American  Type  Founders' 
Co.    Typographical  expert. 


1.  Hard  work. 

2.  Yes,  if  he  were  sure  of  his  prefer- 
ence. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  Yes,  or  until  he  is  sure  of  his  own 
mind. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  A   technical  school,  a  technical 
institute,  or  a  technical  college. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes. 


B.  W.  Andrews 

Philadelphia,  Pa.    President, Whole- 
sale Grocers'  Association. 


1.  Raised  on  a  farm;  father  died 
when  I  was  four  years  old;  mother 
left  with  four  children.  We  had  to 
work  for  our  livmg.  Had  a  mother 
who  took  all  her  children  into  her  con- 
fidence and  received  theirs  in  return. 
This,  I  consider,  had  more  weight 
than  any  other  one  thing. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Depends  on  his  ability;  if  he 
has  it,  yes. 

6.  This  also  depends  on  how  bright 
the  boy  is;  there  is  always  room  for 
ability  in  cities. 

7.  Not  if  he  shows  ability. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  alone,  no. 

13.  By  all  means  get  all  the  educa- 
tion he  can. 

14.  No,  because  the  years  he  would 
be  at  college  should  be  spent  learning 
trade. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  His  parents  should  be  on  such 
good  terms  with  their  children  that 
they  would  not  resist  parents' wishes; 
but  if  stubborn,  no. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Not  as  a  rule;  there  are  excep- 
tions. 

21.  Stock  speculations;  want  to  get 
rich  quickly. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest.  Let  rum  and  women 
alone. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


231 


Hon.  Chester  C.  Cole 

Des  Moines,  Iowa.  Dean,  Iowa  Col- 
lege of  Law.  Ex-Chief  Justice,  Su- 
preme Court  of  Iowa. 


Harvard  Divinity  School  and  Divinity 
School,  Yale.  Librarian,  Boston  Art 
Club.    Author. 


1.  Thorough,  elementary,  legal 
education  at  Harvard  Law  School; 
untiring  industry,  and  persistent  ap- 
plication, aided  therein  by  the  necessi- 
ties upon  me  to  earn  a  living,  in  other 
words,  poverty. 

2.  Yes,  unless  the  parent  knew  of 
some  serious  obstacle  to  his  success 
therein. 

3.  Not  absolutely,  but  such  prefer- 
ence, other  things  being  equal,  would 
assure  higher  success. 

4.  No. 

5.  No;  would  advise  county  seat, 
or  moderate  village,  and  after  success 
there,  go  to  metropolis. 

6.  No. 

7.  Unless  there  is  fair  promise  of 
success  in  other  business,  better  teach 
him  to  like  farming. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily,  but  love  for  it 
would  magnify  his  success. 

11.  Experience;  largest  ability  will 
not  ifuaranty  success  in  a  new  and 
untried  avenue. 

12.  Not  likely,  yet  it  may. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  I  think  not,  if  I  properly  com- 
prehend the  question. 

16.  Most  assuredly. 

17.  Possibly,  yes;  the  adult  judg- 
ment of  the  parent  is  doubtless  better 
than  the  minor  judgment. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Inexperience,  which  leads  to 
over-confidence  and  other  error. 

23.  No. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest,  be  industrious,  be 
frugal,  be  persistent. 


S.  S.  Curry,  A.M.,  Ph.D. 

Boston,  Mass.  President,  School  of 
Expression.  Was  Professor  of  Ora- 
tory, Boston  University.  Acting 
Professor  Elocution,  Newton  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  Instructor  of  Elo- 
cution, Harvard.  Prof essor  Elocution, 


1.  Perseverance.  Working  to  real- 
ize ideals  and  aspirations.  Search  for 
fundamental  principles  and  obedience 
to  them  in  training  and  developing 
men.  Insight  into  needs.  Causing 
every  one  to  "  find  himself,"  and  not  to 
imitate  sincerity  and  genuineness. 

2.  Yes.  A  "preference,"  however, 
needs  to  be  tested.  It  must  be  a  part 
of  the  man's  ideals,  not  a  mere  fancy, 
desire  for  show,  or  imitation;  there- 
suit  of  the  awakening  of  his  own 
nature,  of  a  sense  of  power. 

3.  With  the  above  qualifications, 
yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  an  all-round,  manly  fellow, 
with  power  to  sustain  himself  and 
hold  himself  poised,  and  if  he  has 
deep  intuitions,  yes. 

6.  No.  There  is  often  a  mere  de- 
sire for  change,  coming  from  false 
ideas  of  success,  which  should  be 
curbed.  In  this  case,  however,  all 
depends  upon  circumstances,  or  rather 
upon  the  intuitions  of  the  boy  himself. 
A  boy  is  often  conscious  of  power  and 
gets  a  sense  of  not  being  in  harmony 
with  his  surroundings,  and  in  such  a 
mood  may  desire  any  change.  Every 
boy  at  such  a  period  needs  tender 
care  and  patience.  He  should  be  cau- 
tioned against  rashness  at  such  a 
time. 

7.  No. 

8.  "To  business  success,"  no. 
True,  permanent  success  is  another 
question. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

n.  Difficult  to  answer,  on  account 
of  misconceptions  of  what  "experi- 
ence "  is.  To  my  mind,  the  greatest 
success  is  due  to  trusting  intuition, 
aspiration,  and  awakening  ideal.  If 
these  are  counted  a  part  of  "  experi- 
ence," I  should  answer,  experience. 
If  experience  is  taken  in  the  ordinary 
sense,  I  should  answer,  ability. 

12.  Certainly  not. 

13.  It  depends  upon  the  college  and 
his  associations  there. 

14.  Possibly  not  to  a  classical  col- 
lege, but  there  are  colleges  now  on  all 
grades  of  life,  and  these  will  slowly 
multiply  until  there  will  be  college 
courses  adapted  to  every  human  being. 


232 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


15.  Yes.  Technical  schools  are  now 
of  infinite  variety,  and  in  many  neigh- 
borhoods a  boy  cap  find  one  for  every 
trade. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  I  should  advise  him  to  go  to 
school,  a  true  school,  which  will 
awaken  his  ideals  and  aspirations  and 
cause  him  to  "  find  himself."  Then 
the  "preference"  will  soon  be  re- 
vealed. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  If  he  feels  sure  of  himself,  is 
well  balanced,  and  has  no  doubt  of 
success,  yes. 

21.  Failure  to  "find  himself."  Fail- 
ure to  trust  his  own  instinct  and  in- 
tuition, but  copying  others.  Not 
trying  to  actualize  his  own  ideal,  but 
to  conform  to  that  of  others.  Waver- 
ing faith  in  self.  Lack  of  persistent 
self-affirmation  or  confidence. 

22.  Robinson  Crusoe  (or  some  ro- 
mantic book  the  boy  likes);  the  Bible; 
Shakespeare;  a  translation  of  the 
Iliad  or  Odyssey;  Plutarch's  Lives;  a 
good  school  reader,  full  of  the  best 
short  poems,  essays,  and  stories. 

23.  Only  the  telegrams.  How  to 
read  newspapers  demands  more  atten- 
tion at  present.  Very  few  know  how 
to  read,  even  books,  or  to  use  a  library, 
much  less  a  newspaper. 

24.  If  he  loves  it,  yes. 

25.  See  the  positive,  not  the  nega- 
tive. Have  faith,  not  fear.  Be  your 
best  self;  do  not  imitate.  Do  only 
what  will  have  a  noble  effect  upon 
your  character.  Keep  full  of  con- 
fidence, patience,  and  love.  Strike 
for  present  success,  but  see  that  it  is 
related  to  future  and  higher  success. 


S.  H.  Ditchett 

New  York  City.    Managing  Editor, 
The  Dry  Goods  Economist. 


I.  To  the  strict  adherence  to  the 
idea  or  principle — "I  am  in  the  em- 
ploy of  So-and-So,but  in  the  end  I  am 
not  working  for  another,  but  for  my- 
self. I  may  not  reap  my  full  reward 
here,  but  am  fitting  myself  for  better 
things  by  doing  my  best  possible 
work  in  this  position."  Further,  by 
seeking  and  utilizing  opportunities 
for  increasing  my  degree  of  useful- 
ness; by  reaching  out  for  new  and 


more  remunerative  kinds  of  work;  by 
always  doing  more  than  I  am  paid  to 
do,  leaving  the  question  of  increased 
remuneration  to  a  time  when  increased 
ability  has  been  proved. 

2.  If  he  has  the  preference,  by  all 
means.  The  trouble  is,  too  manjr  do 
not  find  out  their  preference  till  time 
has  been  wasted. 

3.  Assuredly;  and  parents  should 
put  forth  every  effort  to  find  out  what 
the  boy's  preference  is. 

4  The  worst  possible  course. 

5.  Better  by  far  begin  in  a  small 
town  where  individuality  has  a  chance 
to  develop. 

6.  Same  as  No.  5. 

7.  Not  by  any  means,  if  the  boy  is 
shrewd  and  industrious  by  nature.  If 
flighty,  lazy,  and  discontented,  he  is 
as  well  off  on  the  farm  as  anywhere 
else. 

8.  No  man  can  succeed  unless  he 
has  the  trust  of  his  fellow-men. 

9.  Unless  you  keep  turning  the 
auger,  you'll  never  make  a  hole. 

10.  "The  labor  we  delight  in"  is 
always  the  work  we  can  best  accom- 
plish. 

11.  Ability  in  the  beginning  leads 
to  experience.  You  can't  have  the 
right  kind  of  experience  without  a 
good  deal  of  ability. 

13.  The  best  thing  gained  at  college 
is  the  ability  to  quickly  grasp  a  new 
problem  and  assimilate  it.  In  these 
days  of  constantly  changing  condi- 
tions a  college  training  is  an   asset. 

14  and  15.  He  should  begin  at  the  lad- 
der's foot,  and  go  to  a  technical  school 
after  he  has  acquired  the  rudiments. 

16.  Unquestionably,  yes. 

17.  Brings  us  back  to  the  parents* 
duty  of  finding  out  the  boy's  prefer- 
ence. 

18.  Certainly  not  a  profession,  and  a 
trade  rather  than  a  business.  But 
parents'  social  position  would  have 
much  influence  here. 

ig.  If  he  could  find  a  location  that 
promised  well,  yes. 

20.  He  would  require  exceptional 
ability  to  overcome  the  handicap. 

21.  To  the  desire  to  enjoy  life  with- 
out working.  The  cure  is,  learning 
to  make  one's  work  his  chief  amuse- 
ment, the  finding  out  that  work  is  the 
best  game  of  all. 

22.  Emerson's  Essays;  portions  of 
Lord  Chesterfield's  Letters  to  His  Son 
are  excellent  for  a  knowledge  of 
human  nature;  Essays  of  Lord  Bacon; 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


233 


biographies,  especially  of  Lincoln  and 
others  who  have  surmounted  enormous 
obstacles. 

23.  Better  than  most  books  from  the 

{)oint  of  view  of  progress  in  business 
ife. 

24.  Not  until  he  had  received  a  long 
training  elsewhere. 

25.  Find  out  what  you  are  best  fitted 
for;  never  be  satisfied;  act  so  that 
you  can  always  be  relied  on;  always 
reach  out  for  more  duties;  do  more 
than  you  are  paid  for;  keep  your  tem- 
per; watch  your  tongue;  be  polite  to 
all;  respect  every  one's  opinion,  and 
study  it  before  controverting;  be  on 
the  lookout  for  new  ideas;  don't  think 
you  know  much,  and  don't  know  any- 
thing until  you  know  that  you  know 
it;  learn  to  express  yourself  and  to 
speak  in  public;  act  modestly,  but 
have  a  due  knowledge  of  your  own 
value;  study  men  rather  than  books. 


16.  Same  as  No.  13. 

18.  I  would  j)ut  him  to  real  good, 
hard  work  until  he  did  make  up  his 
mind. 

19.  Yes,  by  all  means;  working  on 
salary  makes  cowards  of  men. 

20.  A  great  deal  depends  as  to  out- 
look for  success.  A  man  in  debt 
always  saves  more  money  than  when 
he  has  a  good  bank  account. 

21.  Extravagance  and  inattention  to 
business. 

23.  Yes,  if  not  on  his  employer's 
time. 

24.  Not  usually. 

25.  ' '  Make  your  employer's  interests 
your  interests.  Never  watch  the 
clock  for  time  to  quit.  Be  willing  to 
come  early  and  stay  late."  Your  em- 
ployer would  soon  see  that  you  were 
so  essential  that  he  couldn't  dispense 
with  your  services. 


IT      AT  Ai-      o  e    ^x  Hon-  Herbert  H.  D.  Peirce 

Hon.  Nathan  B.  Scott  Washington,  D.C.    Assistant  Secre- 

Wheeling,    W.    Va.    United  States  tary  of  State  of  United  States.    Di- 

Senator.  plomatist.    Lawyer. 


1.  Trying  always  to  do  my  very 
best  at  whatever  I  undertook  to  do. 
In  never  going  into  debt  for  luxuries, 
and  if  I  could  not  aflford  a  new  suit 
of  clothes,  to  brush  and  wear  the  old 
ones  until  I  could  afford  it.  With  a 
resolution  to  never  allow  one  year  to 
close  without  having  saved  something 
and  adding  it  to  a  limited  capital. 
Practicing  economy,  because  econ- 
omy is  wealth. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessarily  so. 

4.  The  parent,  as  a  rule,  has  more 
mature  judgment  than  a  boy. 

7.  Boys  should  be  taught  to  work. 
Industry  is  essential  to  success.  Boys 
do  not  usually  like  to  work;  they 
would  rather  go  fishing  or  to  the  cir- 
cus. 

9.  Yes;  not  one  day  in  the  week, 
but  seven  days  and  nights,  too. 

10.  It  would  be  better,  but  not 
absolutely  necessary. 

13.  A  good  education  is  a  great  help 
to  a  business  man,  but  not  necessarily 
a  college  education. 

14.  Same  as  No.  13. 

15.  Yes;  it  would  be  well,  but  ap- 
prentice him  to  some  good  firm,  and 
let  him  get  real  practical  work. 


1.  I  attribute  such  success  as  I  may 
have  achieved  chiefly  to  determined 
and  persistent  effort  in  a  calling  to 
which  I  am  adapted,  and  to  the  care- 
ful cultivation  of  my  fellow-men. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  I  think  so. 

4.  Decidedly  not. 

6.  Not  if  he  can  find  employment 
suited  to  his  abilities  and  tastes  where 
he  is,  or  unless  he  has  strong  character 
and  great  industry. 

7.  No,  not  if  he  can  find  employ- 
ment elsewhere. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Perhaps  in  the  main,  ability;  but 
ability  should  be  supplemented  by 
experience.  Exjserience  is  essential 
to  real  success  in  most  cases,  but 
without  ability,  it  can  rarely  make 
real  success. 

12.  In  some  cases,  but  rarely. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Not  if  he  proposes  to  remain  a 
mechanic  always. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  unquestionably. 

17.  In  some  cases,  yes;  but  not 
always. 


234 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


20.  On  general  principles,  no;  but 
circumstances  alter  cases. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  it  is  a  good  one,  and  he  is 
adapted  to  it. 

25.  Choose  that  to  which  you  are 
adapted ;  put  all  your  energy  and  per- 
sistence into  your  work;  keep  your- 
self clean  morally  and  physically. 

Remarks.  Select  that  walk  in  life 
to  which  you  feel  yourself  really 
adapted.  Qualify  yourself  in  every 
branch  of  your  trade,  business,  or 
profession,  devoting  all  your  spare 
time  to  that  end.  Work  persistently 
and  untiringly  to  do  that  which  you 
have  to  do  with  scrupulous  loyalty  to 
your  employers,  avoiding  entering 
mto  any  combinations  hostile  to  their 
interests.  If  you  cannot  conscien- 
tiously serve  them,  /leave  their  em- 
ployment, but  while  receiving  their 
compensation,  study  to  serve  their 
interests  loyally.  Cultivate  engaging 
manners  and  address,  and  carefully 
observe  the  forms  of  politeness  which 
society  requires  in  your  dealings  and 
converse  with  all.  Respect  your  own 
person,  in  order  that  others  may 
respect  you.  Remember  that  no  man's 
success  in  life  is  due  to  himself  alone, 
but  in  large  measure  to  the  recogni- 
tion of  his  worth  by  others,  and  with- 
out such  recognition  no  success  is 
worth  having. 


20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  self-control. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Pil- 
grim's  Progress,  Plutarch's  Lives, 
Tennyson's  Poems,  a  history  of  the 
United  States. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Keep  yourself  physically  clean 
mentally  alert,  morally  pure,  spiritu^ 
ally  alive.  Make  the  most  of  your  sell 
—  the  key  to  success  is  in  yourself. 


Rev.  0.  P.  Gifford,  D.D. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.      Pastor,    Delaware 
Avenue  Baptist  Church. 


1.  Faith  in  God,     Willingness    to 
serve  men  in  any  way  I  can. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  For  some  callings,  yes;  not  for 
all. 

4.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Rarely. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 


William  B.  Gage 

Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.    Manager, 
United  States  Hotel. 


1.  Doing  unto  others  as  I  would 
have  them  do  to  me,  and  an  iron  con- 
stitution. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  desires  to  go. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  the  prospect  was  good, 

21.  A  lack  of  business  acumen. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Fear  nothing  but  God,  and  work 
hard. 


George  F.  Brown 

Chicago,    111.      General     Manager, 


Pullman  Palace  Car  Co. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No,  generally  speaking. 

4.  No,  speaking  generally. 
6.  No,  speaking  generally. 

8.  Yes,  if  coupled  with  good  citizen- 
ship. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


235 


9.  Yes,  unquestionably. 

10.  Yes,  to  achieve  the  greatest 
success. 

11.  Both  necessary,  but  given  fair 
ability  and  good  habits,  experience  is 
the  prime  factor, 

12.  No,  unless  a  man  is  a  genius. 

13.  Depends  largely  on  the  boy,  and 
also  his  pecuniary  circumstances. 

14.  No;  but  a  technical  education 
is  a  great  advantage. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No.  "You  can  lead  a  horse  to 
water,  but  you  can't  make  him  drink." 

18.  A  boy  without  a  motive  won't 
make  a  success  in  anything,  much 
less  a  profession.  Would  be  inclined 
to  suggest  a  trade. 

19.  Hard  to  answer.  So  much  de- 
pends these  days  on  the  kind  of  busi- 
ness and  the  extent  of  the  competi- 
tion. 

20.  No. 

22.  First  and  foremost,  the  Bible. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  it  is  a  good  business. 

25.  Be  God-fearing.  Build  up  char- 
acter. Work  intelligently  and  faith- 
fully. Master  details.  Look  out  for, 
and  seize,  opportunity. 


J.  H.  Kellogg,  M.D. 

Battle  Creek,  Mich.  Founder  and 
Superintendent,  Battle  Creek  Sani- 
taritim.  President,  International 
Medical-Missionary  and  Benevolent 
Association,  American  Medical- 
Missionary  College,  and  International 
Health  Association.  Inventor  of  im- 
proved apparatus  and  instruments 
for  medical  and  surgical  purposes. 
Author. 


I.  Whatever  success  I  have  attained 
in  life,  I  believe  I  owe:  —  First,  to  the 
fact  that  when  I  was  a  very  young 
boy,  about  ten  years  of  age,  I  became 
possessed  of  the  idea  that  I  must  make 
myself  as  useful  as  possible  in  the 
world,  and  that  I  must  work  very  hard 
to  make  the  necessary  preparation.  I 
began  at  once  to  work  with  all  my 
might  to  this  end,  and  have  kept  it  up 
ever  since.  Second,  I  became  inter- 
ested very  early  in  life  in  the  subject 
of  hygienic  and  temperance  reforms, 
and  determined  to  adopt  the  principles 
of  these  reforms  for  my  own  rule  of 


life  and  to  devote  all  of  my  energies 
to  promoting  them.  Whatever  suc- 
cess I  have  attained  has  been  due  to 
the  progress  of  the  reformatory  move- 
ments with  which  I  identified  myself. 
Third,  the  abstemious  and  temper- 
ate habits  of  life,  which  I  adopted 
when  a  boy  of  14,  and  which  I  have 
strictly  adhered  to  for  37  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  I  have  been  able  to 
work  almost  continuously,  except  dur- 
ing the  few  hours  which  I  have  al- 
lowed myself  for  sleep.  I  have  found 
time  for  no  vacations,  and  most  of  the 
time  have  worked  with  an  average  of 
less  than  six  hours'  sleep.  I  do  not 
recommend  this  as  strictly  hygienic, 
and  have  doubtless  somewhat  lessened 
my  chance  for  long  life  by  continuous 
physical  and  mental  strain  without 
opportunity  for  recuperation,  but  my 
circumstances  have  seemed  to  demand 
it;  and  I  think  my  success  has  been 
due  to  a  considerable  degree  to  the 
fact  that  I  have  been  able  to  work 
more  hours  continuously  month  after 
month  and  year  after  year  than  most 
men  are  able  to  do,  certainly  not  be- 
cause of  a  strong  constitution,  as  I 
was  regarded  as  a  puny  boy,  but  be- 
cause of  the  increased  powers  of  en- 
durance which  are  the  natural  result 
of  simple  and  abstemious  habits,  and 
because  I  have  endeavored  to  conserve 
all  my  energies  for  work. 

3  This  must  depend  upon  how  wide 
opportunities  for  observation  the  boy 
has  had.  I  think  parents  should  study 
to  make  themselves  acquainted  with 
the  natural  talents  of  ;their  children, 
and  should  give  them  opportunities 
for  the  development  of  those  abilities 
which  are  likely  to  make  them  of  the 
greatest  use  to  their  fellowmen. 
Young  men  are  not  infrequently  at- 
tracted toward  professions,  not  be- 
cause of  any  special  adaptability  to 
them,  but  because  of  the  pecuniary  or 
social  advantages  which  are  supposed 
to  accompany  them. 

3.  No.  I  am  acquainted  with  sev- 
eral persons  who  have  made  an  emi- 
nent success  in  professions  which  they 
did  not  enter  by  choice,  but  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  wishes  of  their  parents  or 
their  friends.  It  is,  of  course,  neces- 
sary, however,  that  a  person  should 
have  talents  adapted  to  his  profession. 
Natural  ability,  rather  than  natural 
preference,  is  the  thing  necessary. 

4.  I  do  not  think  boys  should  be 
forced    to    do    anything,    unless,    of 


236 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


course,  the  case  should  be  one  of  open 
rebellion  against  the  family  or  the 
social  order.  I  do  not  believe  in  the 
arbitrary  training  or  government  of 
children. 

5.  In  my  opinion  the  country  boy 
in  a  sparsely  settled  district  has  a  far 
better  opportunity  for  becoming  a 
well-developed,  vigorous,  useful,  and 
manly  man  than  the  city  boy,  and  that 
the  opportunities  for  busmess  of  a 
useful  and  healthful  sort  are  far  better 
in  a  sparsely  settled  country  district 
than  in  an  over-crowded  city. 

6.  Certainly  not. 

7.  If  the  farmer's  boy  does  not  like 
farming,  the  reason  probably  is  that 
he  does  not  understand  it.  He  has 
not  had  an  opportunity  to  learn  the 
principles  and  the  wonderfully  inter- 
esting facts,  a  knowledge  of  which 
renders  farming  one  of  the  most  fasci- 
nating and  satisfying  of  all  occupa- 
tions. I  should  say  the  boy  should  be 
given  an  opportunity  to  attend  an 
agricultural  college  where  he  can 
study  botany,  chemistry  of  the  soil, 
and  other  questions  which  will  render 
life  on  the  farm  a  delight  rather  than 
a  monotonous  round  of  drudgery. 

8.  Yes.  Honesty  is  necessary  to 
success  in  any  direction. 

9.  That  depends.  Success  in  some 
directions  requires  long,  faithful,  and 
persistent  effort,  while  in  other  direc- 
tions success  depends  upon  the  ability 
to  grasp  quickly  a  great  truth  or  prin- 
ciple or  to  seize  the  opportune  moment. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Success  in  certain  directions  does 
not  depend  at  all  upon  experience,  but 
rather  upon  special  traits  or  qualities 
adapted  to  a  special  emergency  or 
opportunity. 

13.  That  depends  upon  what  he  in- 
tends to  study  in  college  and  what  his 
business  is  to  be.  A  scientific  course 
in  almost  any  college  ought  to  be  an 
efficient  aid  to  a  boy  in  almost  any 
calling  in  life.  The  same  could  not  be 
said  of  a  classical  course.  Still  a  col- 
lege training  is  not  essential.  The 
same  amount  of  time  spent  in  the 
business  itself  would  probably  give  a 
boy  a  better  preparation  for  business 
than  the  training  he  would  get  in  any 
college. 

14.  A  college  education  of  the  right 
sort  is  an  advantage  to  a  boy,  no  mat- 
ter what  is  to  be  his  calling  in  life, 
through  giving  a  larger  outlook  upon 


the  world  and  broader  conceptions  of 
life,  even  though  it  might  not  be  of 
special  assistance  to  him  in  a  mechani- 
cal way.  Such  training  ought,  how- 
ever, to  fit  a  boy  to  attain  greater 
eminence  even  in  a  mechanical  trade 
than  when  he  has  not  had  such  a  train- 
ing, other  things  being  equal. 

15.  A  training  in  a  polytechnic  school 
will  be  of  much  more  service  to  a  boy 
who  intends  to  follow  a  mechanical 
trade  than  a  college  training. 

16.  At  the  present  time  it  is  practi- 
cally necessary  for  a  hoy  to  obtain  at 
least  a  partial  college  traming  in  order 
to  enter  a  profession.  It  is  not,  how- 
ever, necessary  that  he  should  obtain 
a  degree. 

17.  Certainly  not. 

18.  Such  a  bov  should  learn  a  trade. 
He  is  not  fit  either  for  business  or  for 
a  profession. 

19.  That  depends  upon  circum- 
stances. I  would  not  consider  it  proper 
for  a  young  man  to  go  into  business 
simply  for  the  sake  of  doing  business. 
If  an  opportunity  offers  in  which  it  is 
necessary  that  some  one  should  start 
a  business  of  the  sort  in  which  he  has 
had  experience,  and  if  he  is  better  pre- 
pared to  do  this  than  any  one  else  in 
sight,  then  he  might  be  encouraged  to 
make  an  independent  venture,  not 
simply  in  his  own  interest,  but  in  the 
interests  of  the  community  in  which 
he  lives  as  well  as  himself. 

20.  This  again  depends  upon  circum- 
stances. It  is  just  as  proper  for  a 
young  man  to  borrow  money  with 
which  to  begin  business  as  to  borrow 
a  horse  or  a  house.  Borrowed  money 
is  simply  rented  capital. 

21.  Undertaking  to  do  business  for 
the  mere  sake  of  doing  business,  or 
making  money  without  stopping  to 
inquire  whether  or  not  there  is  a  nat- 
ural and  a  proper  demand  for  business 
of  the  sort  contemplated,  and  whether 
there  is  a  necessity  for  the  particular 
business  enterprise  proposed. 

22.  The  Bible,  RoUin's  Ancient  His- 
tory, a  good  history  of  England,  a  his- 
tory of  the  United  States,  a  work  on 
Human  physiology  adapted  to  his 
years,  and  Webster's  Dictionary. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Strive  to  be  an  honest,  virtuous, 
temperate,  industrious,  manly  man. 
Remember  your  mother's  teaching, 
heed  your  father's  counsel,  be  fair  to 
your  fellows.  _  , » 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


237 


B.  F.  Keith 

Boston,  Mass.  Proprietor,  Keith's 
Theatres,  Boston,  New  York,  Phila- 
delphia, Providence,  Washington,  and 
London. 


1.  Primarily,  to  principles  incul- 
cated in  boyhood  days  by  excellent 
environment.  Secondly,  to  a  decided 
inclination  for  the  business  eventually 
chosen.  Thirdly,  to  perseverance 
without  haste. 

2.  Yes,  decidedly. 

3.  I  am  inclined  to  think  so,  but  do 
not  believe  it  to  be  absolutely  neces- 
sary. We  may  learn  to  like  a  calling 
we  do  not  at  first  prefer,  if  deter- 
mined to  succeed.  The  extra  amount 
of  work  thereby  demanded  has,  I 
think,  a  tendency  that  way. 

4.  No. 

5.  So  much  depends  upon  the  boy  — 
his  aspirations,  etc.  —  that  I  think  it 
difficult  to  answer  this  question  in  a 
general  way.  He  might  go  to  Con- 
gress easier  from  his  home  than  from 
a  great  city;  but  going  to  Congress  is 
only  one  degree  of  success,  and  that 
for  a  limited  few.  I  think  it  essential 
to  know  the  boy  and  his  bent  before 
advising.  There  are  so  many  kinds 
of  success,  also,  that  it  seems  to  me 
that  the  city  often  cannot  contribute 
to  it  as  well,  perhaps,  as  the  country. 

6.  I  think,  on  general  principles, 
there  might  be  less  reason  for  so  ad- 
vising him  than  if  his  home  was  in  a 
sparsely  settled  district,  but  so  much 
depends  upon  surrounding  circum- 
stances that  I  do  not  think  one  should 
undertake  the  responsibility  of  advis- 
ing in  a  general  way.  It  is  difficult  to 
advise  boys  collectively. 

7.  No. 

8.  Most  assuredly. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes,  on  general  principles,  but 
I  do  not  consider  it  absolutely  neces- 
sary. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  through  perseverance, 
which  furnishes  experience. 

13.  Nowadays,  yes. 

16.  Should  suppose  it  would  be 
essential  that  he  do  so. 

17.  On  the  contrary,  I  think  it  ex- 
tremely unwise. 

18.  I  think  no  boy  could  avoid  hav- 
ing a  preference  for  something  in  some 
direction,  although  he  may  not  know 


what  he  would  prefer  as  a  life  work. 
I  should  advise  him  to  follow  the 
subject  he  liked  best  at  the  time 
regardless  of  what  he  might  decide 
upon  later,  and  I  believe  such  a  boy 
quite  as  likely  to  succeed  eventually 
as  many  others.  I  do  not  believe  in 
an  inexorable  rule,  which  demands 
that  an  inexperienced  boy  should 
definitely  decide  his  life  work  without 
any  inclination  to  do  so.  As  the  years 
advance,  his  experience  with  the 
world  shows  him  to  a  fuller  extent 
his  likes  and  dislikes,  and  is  likely  to 
create  an  ambition,  which  did  not  ex- 
ist in  earlier  years. 

19.  Yes.  I  do  not  believe  in  working 
too  long  for  others.  It  tends  to  create 
a  lean-upon-others  inclination  most 
undesirable  in  any  young  man .  I  think 
I  have  seen  young  men  of  business 
ability  spoiled  for  an  independent 
business  man's  career  in  this  way. 

20.  No;  pay  as  you  go,  and  if  you 
can't  pay,  don't  go. 

21.  The  credit  system. 

23.  Yes,  but  not  to  make  a  business 
of  it  to  the  exclusion  of  business  and 
recreation  interests,  or  good  magazine 
and  book  reading.  He  should,  at 
least,  familiarize  himself  with  current 
events. 

24.  Upon  general  principles,  no,  un- 
less he  prefers  it;  but  if  the  business 
has  good  prospects,  and  the  boy  has 
no  decided  preference  otherwise,  I 
should  advise  him  to  consider  it  seri- 
ously, especially  if  the  business  de- 
mands continuance  to  avoid  serious 
loss. 

25.  Keep  pegging  away.  Do  not 
hurry.  Do  not  stop.  Be  a  boy  as 
long  as  you  can  without  becoming  a 
man  too  late  in  life.  Live  within  your 
income  no  matter  what  it  is,  and  save 
a  little  anyway,  and  above  all  don't 
think  that  you  can't ;  but  if  you  are 
ready  to  prove  that  you  can't,  come  to 
me,  and  we  will  have  it  out  together. 
I  think  I  can  tell  you  a  few  little 
things.  Do  not  be  ashamed  to  carry 
a  bundle,  and  do  not  allow  yourself  to 
be  held  down  for  life  by  reason  of  such 
foolishness  in  earlier  or  later  years. 
You  won't  be  noticed  much  at  first, 
except  by  those  who  are  inclined  to 
jeer,  but  you  will  be  noticed  all  right 
later  if  you  persevere.  Do  not  be 
amenable  to  unreasonable  society  laws. 
They  are  a  delusion  and  a  snare  and  a 
lie  on  their  face.  Pay  your  bills,  and 
advise  others  to  do  the  same. 


238 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Admiral  Lester  A.  Beardslee 

Little  Falls,   N.  Y.    United  States 

Navy. 


I.  (a)  Luck  in  securing  appointment 
to  Naval  Academy  as  a  midshipman. 
{b)  Taking  full  advantage  of  oppor- 
tunities which  presented  themselves. 
{c)  Making  opportunities  present  them- 
selves, i^d)  Finding  opportunities 
where  none  apparently  existed 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  all  boys;  some  I  would. 

6.  Yes,  if  chances  superior  to  any 
at  home  presented  themselves  when 
he  could  by  effort  avail  himself. 

7.  If  simply  lazy,  yes. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

II.  Both. 

12.  To  a  certain  extent,  yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  if  in  learned  profession. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 
23.  Yes. 

25.  "Be  sure  you're  right,  then  go 
ahead."  If  you  can't  be  sure,  be  as 
sure  as  you  can. 


Joseph  G.  Darlington 

Philadelphia,  Pa,     President,  Union 
League  Club. 


2.  Most  decidedly. 

3.  Not  necessarily. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Both  necessary. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 


20.  No,  if  the  money  is  to  be  bor- 
rowed from  strangers.  Yes,  if  the 
money  will  be  furnished  by  those  who 
are  personally  interested  and  have 
confidence  in  his  ability. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 


George  K.  Cherrie 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Field  naturalist. 
Curator,  ornithology  and  mammalogy, 
Brooklyn  Institute  of  Arts  and  Sci- 
ences.   Author. 


1.  Keeping  at  it. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No;  for  the  reason  that  prefer- 
ence is  usually  formed  without  full 
and  practical  knowledge  of  the  calling. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  endowed  with  special  talent, 
yes. 

6.  No. 

8.  Yes;  absolutely  so. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  To  attain  fullest  success,  yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Limited 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of    concentration  of   pur- 
pose. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Do  right. 


William  Alvord 

San  Francisco,  Cal.  President,  Bank 
of  California. 


1.  To  working  when  a  clerk  as  if  I 
was  a  partner  in  the  business.  My 
energy  attracted  attention  and  promo- 
tion was  rapid. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

8.  I  do. 

9.  I  do. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  In  time,  yes. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


239 


13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  rate  of  interest  is  low. 

21.  Incompetency. 
23.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest  and  faithful  in  all  your 
undertakings. 


M.  S.  Buckingham 

Memphis,  Tenn.     President,   State 
National  Bank. 


1.  To  do  cheerfully  whatever  I  was 
told  to  do  by  my  superiors  in  business, 
and  do  it  well.  Pride.  Close  appli- 
cation, with  determination  to  succeed. 

2.  Yes,  by  all  means. 

3.  Yes;  otherwise  the  boy  would 
take  no  interest  in  it. 

4.  Never  force  a  boy  into  any  call- 
ing he  dislikes. 

5.  Yes;  let  him  go  to  the  largest 
city  he  can  find. 

6.  Ordinarily,  yes;  though  it  some- 
times depends  on  the  boy. 

7.  No ;  send  him  to  a  large  city  if 
his  father  is  able  to  do  so. 

8.  Yes,  otherwise  you  cannot  suc- 
ceed. Dishonesty  will  tell  against 
you  in  the  long  run. 

9.  You  cannot  be  successful  with- 
out persistent  application. 

10.  Yes;  otherwise  he  could  take  no 
interest  in  it. 

11.  Without  ability  you  could  not 
succeed.  Experience  is  the  practical 
test  of  ability. 

12.  Ability  contributes  a  large  share 
to  success.  Experience  would  prove 
a  bitter  trial  without  ability. 

13.  Yes;  education  by  all  means. 

14.  Yes;  education  enlarges  the 
brain  and  brings  to  mind  ideas  dor- 
mant without  education. 

15.  Yes;  he  will  have  use  for  both 
during  life,  which  will  highly  benefit 
him. 

16.  Yes;  by  all  means.  Education 
always  is  a  great  help. 

17.  No;  do  not  force  him. 

18.  Profession.  He  will  meet  with 
others  and  that  will  probably  give 
him  some  ambition. 

19.  Yes. 


20.  Yes,  if  the  borrowed  capital 
was  sufficient,  so  he  would  not  be 
crowded,  and  the  loan  was  on  long 
time  and  at  a  very  low  rate  of  inter- 
est. 

21.  Want  of  judgment  in  giving 
credit  and  trying  to  do  too  much 
business  on  insufficient  capital. 

22.  The  Bible;  a  correct  history  of 
his  own  country;  Shakespeare;  The 
Regent's  Daughter,  by  Alexandre 
Dumas;  Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson, 
Tennyson's  Poems. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No,  I  would  not.  The  boy  had 
better  keep  away  from  relatives  in  a 
business  way  and  work  out  his  own 
career. 

25.  "  Tell  the  truth  every  time." 


General  Thomas  T.  Munfurd 

Lynchburg,  Va.  Cotton  planter. 
President,  Board  of  Visitors.  Vir- 
ginia Military  Institute. 


1.  I  do  not  know  that  I  have  been 
a  success,  but  to  whatever  extent  I 
may  have  obtained  I  owe  to  the  good 
examples  of  an  honest,  upright  father 
and  a  pious  and  devoted  mother,  whose 
precepts  and  virtues  were  their  means. 

2.  By  all  means. 

3.  A  "  Jack  of  all  trades  "  is  rarely 
a  success. 

4.  Give  him  a  chance  at  his  prefer- 
ence, by  all  means. 

5.  If  he  has  an  active  mind,  and  is 
progressive,  give  him  a  chance. 

6.  No;  if  he  has  the  confidence  of 
the  community  he  will  succeed  at 
home. 

7.  No;  give  him  a  chance  at  what 
he  likes. 

8.  More  than  anything  else  with- 
out it. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

12.  They  go  well  together,  and  are 
dependent  largely  upon  each  other. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  is  bright  enough  to 
appreciate  its  worth. 

14.  A  skilled  mechanic  with  a  college 
education  is  that  much  better  off. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  has  a  possible  chance 
to  do  it. 

16.  Yes;  starting  with  a  military 
training  for  subordination  and  order 
he  will  learn  to  command  and  win 
success. 


240 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


17.  No;  generally  it  is  time  and 
money  thrown  away. 

18.  He  should  be  encouraged  to 
demonstrate  a  preference,  and  then 
be  pushed. 

19.  Most  such  men  can  make  them- 
selves valuable  enough  to  acquire  an 
interest,  and  with  a  good  house,  it  is 
safest  to  stick  to  it. 

20.  It  is  a  dangerous  experiment, 
and  very  problematic.  Push  some- 
times wins. 

21.  Want  of  attention  and  over- 
reaching. 

22.  The  Bible;  Homer;  Shakespeare; 
the  Life  and  Writings  of  Washington ; 
the  Rise  and  Fall  of  the  Confederacy, 
by  Jefferson  Davis;  and  the  Life  of 
Chief-Justice  Roger  B.  Taney. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  it  was  a  success.  The 
gratitude  and  affection  of  the  son 
should  make  him  think  of  the  fifth 
commandment. 

25.  "The  Lord  is  in  His  Holy 
Temple";  "Let  the  words  of  my 
mouth  and  the  meditations  of  my 
heart  be  always  acceptable  in  thy 
sight,  O  Lord,  my  strength  and  my 
redeemer  " ;  "  Give  me  strength  to  do 
thy  will,"  then  whatever  I  do  will  be 
pleasing.  It  will  make  me  a  ' '  gentle- 
man," who  is  obliged  to  be  a  Christian 
to  be  one. 


Bryan  H.  Smith 

Brooklyn,     N.     Y.      President 
Brooklyn  Savings  Bank. 


1.  First,  the  necessity  to  earn  my 
own  living;  second,  the  probable 
dependence  of  others  upon  me;  third, 
persistent  endeavor. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 
9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Make  him  choose. 


19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Dishonesty. 

23.  Yes 

24.  No. 

25.  Love  God  and   keep  His   con 
mandments. 


Joseph  H.  Manley 

Augusta,  Me.  President,  August 
Savings  Bank  and  Maine  Farmt 
Publishing  Co.  Director  in  seven 
railroad  and  steamboat  companies. 


1.  Untiring  industry,  strict  attei 
tion  to  details,  and  striving  to  des 
honestly  with  all  men. 

2.  Certainly. 

3.  Absolutely. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Yes. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes;  go  to  college  no  matte 
what  he  may  do  in  after  life. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes. 

18.  He  must  have  ambition  to  su< 
ceed  in  anything. 

19.  Yes;  be  for  yourself  always. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  is  honest,  industrious 
and  ambitious. 

21.  Use  of  liquor. 

22.  Be  familiar  with  the  New  Tests 
ment,  read  the  history  of  the  Unite 
States,  read  the  history  of  your  ow 
state,  life  of  George  Washington,  lif 
of  Alexander  Hamilton,  life  of  Abra 
ham  Lincoln. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  likes  it. 

25.  Never  contemplate  failure 
Know  you  can  succeed  in  whateve 
you  undertake.  Apply  yourself  vigc 
rously  to  your  work.  Never  think  c 
the  hours  you  employ.  Do  whateve 
is  to  be  done  each  da5r.  Above  a] 
things,  act  honestly  with  yoursell 
with  every  one  and  every  measure 
Be  generous.  Treat  every  one  kindl) 
Never  speak   harshly.    Be  a  gentle 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


241 


Frank  Morley 


J.  H.  Mersman 


Baltimore,  Md.  Professor  of  mathe- 
matics, Johns  Hopkins  University. 
Co-editor  of  Bulletin  of  American 
Mathematical  Society.  Editor,  Ameri- 
can Journal  of  Mathematics, 


1.  To  concentration  based  on  en- 
thusiasm. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes,  understanding  by  success 
more  than  financial  success. 

4.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  No,  in  general. 
9.  Yes. 

la  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  If  he  can  afford  the  time. 
15.  Yes. 

17.  No. 
23.  Yes. 


Charles  Yardley  Turner 

New  York  City.  Artist.  Director 
of  Color  at  Pan-American  Exposition, 
Buffalo. 


1.  Some  talent  and  much  applica- 
tion. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  In  most  cases. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  has  talents  and  application. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
la  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Not  necessarily. 

14.  Not  necessarily. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Before  the  day  of  trusts  and 
great  department  stores,  yes. 

20.  The  same  as  No.  19. 

21.  Being  unfit  by  nature  and  train- 
ing for  the  work. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Try  to  find  what  you  are  fitted 
best  to  do,  and  then  do  it  with  all 
your  heart. 


Covington,  Ky.  President,  Farmers' 
and  Traders'  National  Bank. 


2.  I  certainly  should. 

3.  It  is. 

4.  I  do  not. 

5.  If  he  is  bright  and  ambitious  and 
of  good  habits,  I  would. 

6.  I  would  not. 

7.  Not  if  he  is  ambitious  to  seek 
another  calling. 

8.  I  most  assuredly  do. 

9.  Most  assuredly. 

10.  I  do. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  The  two  make  a  great  team  on 
the  road  to  success. 

13.  Sufficient  to  obtain  a  good  com- 
mercial education. 

14.  I  should  not  consider  it  neces- 
sary. 

15.  I  certainly  would. 

16.  I  would. 

17.  I  do  not. 

18.  Send  him  to  the  Navy. 

19.  I  would. 

20.  I  would  not. 

21.  Carelessness. 

23.  We  have  so  few  that  I  would 
have  to  say,  no. 

24.  I  would  not. 

25.  Follow  the  Ten  Commandments 
strictly.  You  will  certainly  be  good 
Christians  and  good  citizens,  which 
will  lead  to  success  in  all  your  under- 
takings. 


Hon.  Jefferson  Davis 


Little    Rock,    Ark. 
Arkansas. 


Governor   of 


1.  To  the  accomplishment  of  a  fixed 
purpose. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely  so. 

9.  Absolutely. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 


242 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  No. 

20.  No. 

21.  Negligence. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest,  true,  and  do  not  shirk 
work. 


C.  C.  Corbin 

Webster,  Mass.    B.  A.  Corbin  &  Son 
Shoe  Co.    Capitalist  and  financier. 


1.  Persistent  application,  thorough 
honesty,  careful  economy. 

2.  On  general  principles,  yes;  par- 
ticularly if  the  decision  is  not  made 
until  the  boy's  years  are  such  as  to 
warrant  a  reasonable  confidence  in 
his  judgment. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No,  if  by  force  you  mean  an  un- 
reasonable pressure  on  the  part  of  the 
parent. 

5.  Not  unless  he  has  some  helpful 
influence  that  he  can  command 

6.  Better,  if  possible,  get  his  start 
in  the  progressive  town  or  small  city, 
and  by  the  means  of  such  start  take 
advantage  of  the  larger  opportunity 
presenting  itself  elsewhere. 

7.  Better  remain  on  the  farm  until 
some  more  favorable  condition  mani- 
fests itself.  In  the  interval  let  him 
keep  his  eyes  wide  open,  looking  for 
the  occasion  whereby  he  can  better 
himself. 

8.  Absolutely  necessary,  for  any- 
thing like  permanent  success. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  It  may  be  possible  to  succeed 
without  a  love  for  the  work  in  which 
one  is  engaged,  but  such  love  will 
ordinarily  enhance  one's  success. 

11.  Without  ability  one  can  hardly 
hope  to  succeed.  Experience  would 
seem  to  be  the  use  of  one's  ability. 

12.  Practically  the  same  answer  as 
the  above. 

13.  If  his  financial  conditions  are 
such  that  he  can  well  afford  the  years 
passed  in  college,  then  let  him  go  to 
college;  not  so  much  because  a  col- 
lege life  will  make  more  sure  his 
business  success,  but  that  his  later 
life  may  be  enriched  by  his  college 
experience. 


14.  Better  devote  himself  to  a  tech- 
nical education. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  It  would  depend  somewhat  on 
the  boy;  ordinarily  I  would  answer, 
no. 

18.  Better  take  up  a  trade;  his  fail- 
ure would  be  less  positive  there  than 
in  either  a  business  or  professional 
life. 

19.  Would  need  to  know  the  condi- 
tions surrounding  the  young  man 
before  advising. 

20.  Same  answer  as  No.  ^9,  although 
the  borrowed  capital  would  militate 
against  the  advisability  of  such  action. 

21.  Over-confidence,  lack  of  capital, 
lack  of  experience. 

22.  Books  that  give  him  high  ideals 
of  character. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes;  and  yet  there  may  be,  and 
are,  many  exceptions  to  such  advice. 

25.  Keep  yourselves  clean  in  your 
thoughts,  pure  in  your  lives,  honest 
in  your  actions,  recognizing  that  real 
success  relates  not  only  to  this  life, 
but  also  to  a  future  world. 


Professor  L.  B.  Jordan 

Lewiston,  Me.    President  of  School 
Board.    Professor  of  Bates  College. 


1.  Steady  and  persistent  effort  in 
what  I  have  undertaken,  a  purpose  to 
deal  fairly  and  justly  with  other  peo- 
ple, and  to  exercise  charity  and  cour- 
tesy towards  all  men. 

2.  Yes,  if  it  is  honorable  and  such 
as  will  lead  to  his  own  improvement. 

3.  Not  always. 

4.  No. 

5.  I  would  advise  him  to  go  to  some 
place  where  he  can  expect  reasonable 
advancement. 

6.  No. 

7.  Not  if  other  reasonable  arrange- 
ments can  be  made. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  He  is  much  more  likely  to  be. 

11.  One  must  have  both  in  order  to 
be  very  successful. 

12.  Yes,  after  there  has  been  time  to 
get  experience. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  do  so  without  in- 
curring a  heavy  debt. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


243 


14.  I  would  advise  him  to  take  a 
liberal  course  of  study. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Not  if  he  has  had  a  fair  oppor- 
tunity to  judge. 

18.  I  would  advise  him  to  get  some 
ambition. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  close  attention  to  busi- 
ness, and  expensive  or  demoralizing 
habits. 

23.  Only  to  a  limited  amount;  better 
read  good  books. 

24.  Yes,  if  his  tastes  so  incline  him. 

25.  Be  courteous,  honest,  pure,  ear- 
nest, and  persistent. 


Harold  W.  Stevens 

Hartford,    Conn.    President,   Hart- 
ford National  Bank. 


1.  Intelligent  energy,  and  the  care- 
ful, conscientious  cultivation  of  a 
good  reputation. 

2.  Certainly,  if  the  preference  is 
decided  and  rational, 

3.  It  is  a  most  valuable  aid. 

4.  Most  assuredly  not. 

6.  There  are  more  opportunities  in 
a  great  city,  and  more  persons  seek- 
ing them.  Everything  depends  upon 
the  boy. 

7.  No. 

8.  No,  unfortunately.  On  general 
principles,  however,  yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes,  generally. 

11.  Ability  is  absolutely  essential  in 
order  to  render  experience  of  effective 
value. 

12.  Experience  is  essential  to  wis- 
dom. 

15.  Yes,  if  practicable. 

16.  Most  assuredly. 

17.  No. 

18.  I  would  advise  him  to  get  a  little 
ambition.    He  is  of  no  use  otherwise. 

19.  Yes,  if  he  was  satisfied  he  had  a 
good  opportunity. 

2a  Generally  speaking,  no. 

21.  Lack  of  an  intelligent  under- 
standing of  their  affairs. 
^^  23.  By  all  means. 
^M^24.  Yes,  if  the  business  needed  him. 
^B  25.  Cultivate  a  sound  body,  a  clean 
^Bind,  and  a  gentle  heart.  Remember 
^■biat  though  "the  world  owes  every 


man  a  living,"  it  is  a  hard  debtor  to 
collect  from,  and  it  behooves  every 
boy  or  man  to  keep  his  eye  always  on 
the  main  chance,  and  be  ever  ready 
for  "the  opportunity."  Remember 
that  brains  are  always  at  a  premium 
in  the  market  for  service,  and  that 
everything  else  being  equal,  the  suc- 
cessful man  will  be  he  who  combines 
energy,  intelligence,  and  persistence. 
The  first  quality  represents  power, 
the  second  control,  the  third  accom- 
plishment; and  all  are  essential  to 
success. 


Andrew  R.  Blakely 

Proprietor,   St. 


New  Orleans,   La 
Charles  Hotel. 


1.  Ambition.  The  desire  to  be  first 
in  everything:  first  in  my  class  at 
school,  the  best  runner,  the  best 
swimmer,  the  best  boxer,  the  best 
good  boy,  and  the  best  bad  boy,  and 
with  the  patience  and  determination 
to  get  there. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessarily  so. 

4.  Most  decidedly,  no. 

5.  Yes,  if  so  inclined. 

6.  Not  if  the  opportunities  are  not 
clearly  apparent  to  him. 

7.  No. 

8.  Most  assuredly,  yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  if  he  has  sufficient  ambition. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  if  properly  applied. 

13.  A  commercial  course,  yes,  if  so 
inclined. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  can  increase  his  knowl- 
edge of  the  object  he  aims  at. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  by  no  means. 

18.  Whichever  is  easiest  and  suits 
him  best. 

19.  Most  decidedly. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  has  ambition  and  the 
proper  qualifications  for  success. 

21.  Spending  $125  when  you  are  only 
making  $100;  spending  expected  fu- 
ture income  before  it  is  actually  re-- 
ceived. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  it  is  a  good  and  success- 
ful one. 

25.  "Strive  to  be  first  in  every- 
thing." 


244 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Walker  Hill 

St.  Louis,   Mo.     President,   Ameri- 
can Exchange  Bank. 


1.  Love  of  the  business,  first;  con- 
stant painstaking  attention  to  all  its 
details,  second. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  No;  stay  at  home  and  build  it 
up. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes;  "Honesty  is  the  best 
policy." 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No;  love  of  his  work  will  bring 
better  success. 

11.  Both. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No, 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Outside  investments,  hence  lack 
of  attention  to  their  own  business. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Depends  on  the  boy  and  the 
father.  Average  boy  does  better  with 
a  stranger. 

25.  Be  honest;  be  temperate;  take 
your  calling  in  life,  and  apply  all  the 
faculties  God  has  endowed  you  with 
to  make  it  successful. 


William  Marshall  Stevenson 

Allegheny,  Pa.  Librarian,  Carnegie 
Library. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
KJ.  Yes. 
II.  Both. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 


20.  No. 

21.  Incompetency. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare  (one 
play  at  least).  Homer  (Pope),  Robin- 
son Crusoe,  Arabian  Nights  (selec- 
tions), Self-Help  (Smiles). 

23.  Better  a  good  weekly  {e.  g,^ 
Nation). 

25.  Speak  the  truth.  Pay  your  debts 
and  mind  your  own  business  (adapted 
from  Plato). 

Remarks.  It  is  an  age  of  speciali- 
zation in  which  we  live  and  Mill's 
advice  is  applicable:  "Know  some- 
thing of  everything  and  everything  of 
some  (one)  thing."  Success  is  a  vague 
term.  Popularly  it  means  getting  on 
in  the  world  —  that  is,  getting  money 
and  other  material  advantages.  In 
this  sense,  the  higher  education  is  a 
hindrance,  hence  I  have  answered 
questions  13  and  14  in  the  negative. 
If  the  trade  or  business  is  only  a 
means  to  living  a  life  of  self-ennoble- 
ment and  the  bettering  of  one's  fel- 
lowmen,  then  I  should  say,  by  all 
means  go  to  college.  I  speak  only  as 
a  teacher  and  librarian  of  twenty 
years*  experience,  not  as  a  man  of 
affairs. 


John  T.  Hamilton 

Cedar     Rapids,    Iowa.      President, 
Cedar  Rapids  Savings  Bank. 


1.  Perseverance  and  economy,  I 
think,  have  had  more  to  do  with  the 
measure  of  success  attained  by  me 
than  any  other  causes.  Many  young 
men  start  out  in  life  with  high  resolves 
and  honest  purposes  in  view  and  fail 
for  want  of  perseverance.  When 
difficulties  presented  themselves  their 
steadfastness  wavered  and  they  began 
simply  drifting. 

2.  Most  surely  I  would. 

3.  Not  necessariljr,  but  without  a 
love  for  your  work  it  soon  becomes 
irksome  and  distasteful. 

4.  No. 

6.  Never. 

7.  No;  such  labor  would  not  be 
congenial  or  improving,  but  on  the 
contrary,  distasteful  drudgery. 

8.  Not  absolutely  necessary  to  a 
good  measure  of  success,  but'  in  all 
ways  desirable  and  necessary  to  the 
fullest  measure  of  success. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  If  success  means  happiness  and 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


245 


contentment,  yes.  If  it  means  merely 
the  accomplishment  of  a  certain  pur- 
pose, no. 

11.  Ability.  Perseverance  and  in- 
tegrity seldom  fail  of  securing  a  good 
measure  of  success.  Experience, 
with  ability  to  use  and  apply,  counts 
for  much. 

12.  Measurable  success.  Experience 
comes  with  years  and  contact  with 
the  world. 

13.  No ;  if  a  boy  is  not  taught  manual 
labor  before  he  is  16,  he  seldom  of  his 
own  volition  will  do  it.  When  he  does 
nothing  until  about  23  years  of  age, 
he  usually  regards  labor  as  degrading. 

14.  No;  for  same  reason  as  above. 
The  more  intelligent  the  person  the 
better  the  work  he  does,  as  a  rule. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Not  beyond  moral  suasion. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Not  under  ordinary  conditions. 

21.  Lack  of  perseverance  and  stead- 
fastness of  purpose. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Not  unless  he  has  a  decided 
liking  for  it. 

25.  Be  honest,  truthful,  and  perse- 
vering. Cultivate  the  society  of  honor- 
ably successful  persons.  Live  within 
your  income,  and  have  consideration 
tor  the  rights  of  others. 


George  W.  Gay,  M.D. 

Boston,  Mass.  Senior  surgeon,  Bos- 
ton City  Hospital.  Lecturer  in  sur- 
gery, Harvard  Medical  School. 


1.  Hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 
■  \.  No. 

^.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 
g.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No, 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes. 

18.  A  trade. 


19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be    honest    and 
hard,  and  stick  to  it. 
Keep  good  company, 
you  earn. 


truthful,  work 
Be  a  gentleman. 
Spend  less  than 


Hon.  John  H.  Burford 

Guthrie,  Oklahoma.    Chief  Justice, 
Supreme  Court  of  Oklahoma. 


1.  First,  to  the  admonition  of  my 
mother,  when  a  vouth,  to  ''Never  do 
an  act  which  will  bring  trouble  to,  or 
disgrace  upon,  your  parents,"  which 
has  rung  in  my  ears  for  30  years. 
Second,  to  a  vigorous  constitution 
acquired  by  hard  labor  upon  a  farm 
until  I  was  20  years  of  age.  Third,  a 
fixed  and  persistent  determination  to 
succeed  and  overcome  all  obstacles,  if 
honesty,  devotion  to  duty,  and  hard 
study  could  accomplish  it. 

2.  Decidedly  so,  if  he  has  the 
physical  and  mental  capacity  to  mas- 
ter it. 

3.  No,  men  succeed  in  certain  lines 
which  they  have  no  preference  for, 
but  are  compelled  to  by  force  of  cir- 
cumstance. 

4.  No ;  it  is  absolutely  criminal. 

5.  No,  not  necessarily,  but  go  to 
some  place  where  there  is  an  oppor- 
tunity. 

6.  No,  not  until  he  has  in  a  mea- 
sure mastered  his  calling. 

7.  This  depends  upon  his  capabili- 
ties. If  capacitated  for  other  business 
he  should  be  permitted  to  select. 

8.  No,  but  nevertheless  strict  hon- 
esty should  be  the  rule  in  every  avo- 
cation or  calling. 

9.  Yes. 
ID.  No. 

12.  Ability  is  born  of  experience 
and  is  not  acquired  without  it. 

13.  Certainly;  he  should  get  all  the 
education  possible,  and  never  stop 
getting. 

14.  If  he  has  the  means  and  oppor- 
tunity. A  well  made,  polished  tool 
does  better  work  than  a  rusty  one. 

15.  It  is  preferable,  but  he  may  learn 
under  a.  proper  instructor  in  a  ma- 
chine shop. 

16.  Yes,  and  if  he  cannot  go  to  col- 
lege^  better  abandon  the  idea  of   a 


246 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


profession,  unless  he  can  master  the 
languages,  mathematics,  and  other 
rudiments  himself. 

17.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  parent 
to  educate  his  children.  The  first  duty 
is  to  educate  him  that  a  college  edu- 
cation is  a  necessity. 

18.  Study  well  his  inclinations,  then 
develop  his  capabilities  in  the  direc- 
tion of  his  natural  bent,  and  improve 
his  natural  endowments. 

ig.  No  man  should  work  on  a  salary 
who  has  means  upon  which  to  do 
business  for  himself. 

20.  It  depends  upon  his  opportuni- 
ties; if  prospects  for  good  profits  are 
favorable,  yes;  if  not,  no;  use  judg- 
ment. 

21.  Failure  to  study  conditions, 
supply,  and  demand;  and  failure  to 
anticipate  the  market  demands  for 
that  which  one  deals  in;  lack  of  in- 
telligent investigation  and  wise  pur- 
chases. 

22.  The  Bible,  History  of  United 
States,  Life  of  Benj.  Franklin,  Life  of 
John  Marshall,  Ben  Hur,  a  leading 
author  on  the  subject  of  his  calling. 

23.  Yes,  and  more  than  one,  if  he 
can  obtain  it. 

24.  If  he  is  adapted  to  it  and  likes  it. 

25.  Acknowledge  God;  honor  your 
parents;  be  respectful  to  the  unfor- 
tunate; remember  the  poor;  be  cour- 
teous to  your  superiors;  make  your 
mother  happy;  avoid  evil  associates; 
honestly,  diligently,  and  persistently 
stick  to  your  chosen  pursuit. 

Remarks.  Don't  use  profane  lan- 
guage. Don't  visit  saloons.  Don't 
speak  lightly  or  sneeringly  of  the 
character  or  virtue  of  a  girl  or  woman. 
Keep  yourself  pure,  honest,  respected, 
and  be  not  afraid  to  condemn  evil. 
Have  the  manhood  to  refuse  to  do  any 
mean  act.  A  good  character  is  more 
to  be  desired  than  gold  or  fame. 


E.  0.  Doremus 

Newark,  N.  J.    President,  American 
Fire  Insurance  Co. 


1.  First,  God's  kindly  blessing  and 
answers  to  prayers  of  Christian  par- 
ents. Second,  persistent  application 
and  industry  in  pursuit  of  business  in 
whatever  way  it  presented  itself. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 


4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  Not  if  he  evinced  a  strong  lik- 
ing for  something  in  line  with  his 
abilities. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes,  provided  he  has  a  desire  to 
do  so. 

14.  Not  as  a  rule. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  persistent  application 
and  neglect  of  looking  closely  to  all 
details  connected  with  his  business. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Wash- 
ington Irving,  History  of  the  United 
States,  Macaulay. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  strictly  honest,  temperate, 
industrious,  charitable.  Observe  in 
letter  and  spirit  the  Golden  Rule,  "  Do 
unto  others  as  you  would  have  others 
do  unto  you." 


John  C.  Juhring 

New  York  City.   Member  of  Francis 
H.  Leggett  &  Co.,  wholesale  grocers. 


1.  Doing  my  duty;  earnestness  of 
purpose;  hard  work;  careful  study  of 
what  was  to  be  accomplished;  and 
being  endowed  with  energy,  enthu- 
siasm, and  the  will  power  to  "keep 
on  keeping  on." 

2.  I  would  advise  him  to  enter  that 
one  for  which  he  showed  capacity. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  It  would  depend  on  the  boy  and 
his  environment. 

6.  More  opportunity  at  home,  if 
aggressive,  reliable,  and  capable. 

7.  No,  not  if  he  has  a  taste  for  work 
in  some  other  field. 

8.  Yes;  it's  reputation  absolutely 
so. 

9.  Yes,  by  all  means.  It's  the  key- 
note to  success.  ^, 

10.  Not  necessarily  so,  ^ 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


247 


11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  will  acquire  experience 
and  make  a  study  of  what  is  necessary 
to  win  and  accomplish  success. 

13.  If  he  goes  in  the  proper  spirit, 
yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  put  him  to  work  if  he  cannot 
be  mfluenced. 

18.  I  would  recommend  that  he  en- 
list in  the  army  where  he  would  be 
subject  to  discipline. 

19.  Circumstances  would  have  to 
govern.  It  would  depend  altogether 
upon  the  character  and  disposition  of 
the  man.  If  energetic  and  a  good 
financier,  yes. 

20.  Not  generally;  much  depends 
upon  good  judgment. 

21.  Incompetence,  lack  of  energy, 
and  bad  habits. 

22.  White  Cross  Library,  History  of 
the  19th  Century,  History  of  England, 
Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  Thoughts 
of  Marcus  Aurelius,  a  good  monthly 
magazine. 

23.  Yes,  it  will  broaden  his  ideas. 

24.  Outside  experience  would  be 
much  preferable. 

25.  Do  your  duty;  be  thorough;  re- 
solve to  do  right;  act  understand- 
ingly;  be  diligent;  practice  economy; 
determine  to  succeed  because  you 
deserve  success.  "Great  opportuni- 
ties come  to  those  who  make  good  use 
of  small  ones." 


William  Craig 

Boston,    Mass.     President,    Boston 
Fruit  and  Produce  Exchange. 

1.  To  honesty  of  purpose,  deter- 
mination to  succeed,  reliability.  If 
any  task  to  perform,  be  it  ever  so 
small,  did  it  the  best  I  could,  never 
forgetting  that  there  were  those  less 
fortunate  in  the  world  to  whom  I 
could  extend  a  helping  hand. 

2.  Not  always. 

3.  Think  not. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  and  with  a  firm  determina- 
tion to  do  his  level  best  to  deserve 
success. 

6.  Yes. 

7.  Speaking  from  my  own  observa- 
tion should  say,  no. 


8.  True  success  cannot  come  with- 
out it. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  an  aspiration  and  en- 
couragement to  succeed. 

22.  The  Bible,  Pushing  to  the  Front, 
Architects  of  Fate,  What  a  Young 
Boy  Ought  to  Know,  What  a  Young 
Man  Ought  to  Know,  What  a  Man  of 
45  Ought  to  Know. 

23.  Yes,  for  thereby  he  keeps  in 
touch  with  the  world  about  him. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Don't  stand  still,  move  forward. 
"If  at  first  you  don't  succeed,  try 
a§:ain."  Become  "thoroughly  fur- 
nished unto  every  good  word  and 
work."  Take  aboard  grit,  persever- 
ance, common  sense,  and  honesty. 
Make  good  use  of  them  all. 


Andrew  McLeish 

Chicago,   111.     Member  of    firm    of 
Carson,  Pirie,  Scott  &  Co.,  dry  goods. 


1.  Hard  work,  and  close  application 
to  it.  Putting  thought  and  thorough- 
ness into  work.  Favorable  opportun- 
ity and  a  kind  Providence. 

2.  Yes,  if  he  is  quite  intelligent  in 
his  preference. 

3.  While  not,  perhaps,  necessary, 
it  is  desirable. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  seeks  business  training,  and 
has  not  more  than  average  ability,  the 
chances  for  a  good  all-round  training 
to  start  with  are  as  good,  or  better, 
in  live  places  of  smaller  size  than  a 
metropolis. 

6.  Not  at  the  beginning,  whatever 
he  may  do  later.  In  large  business 
organizations  the  boy  is  likely  to  be 
trained  in  a  narrow  specialty. 

7.  No,  unless  the  objection  is 
grounded  in  laziness,  or  foolish  curi- 
osity to  taste  city  life. 

8.  Yes.  ,^^^- --"^ 


248 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


9.  Very  necessary. 

10.  It  should  be  congenial,  at  the 
least. 

11.  Ability. 

13.  Sometimes.  Both  are  necessary 
in  most  cases. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  aspires  to  the  higher 
positions  and  has  good  capacity  to 
acquire  knowledge  and  mental  dis- 
cipline. 

14.  Would  give  preference  to  the 
best  technological  schools. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  is  bright  and  ambi- 
tious. 

16.  Absolutely,  yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Such  a  boy  should  not  be  trained 
for  a  profession ;  he  may  be  useful  in 
trade  or  business,  in  the  ranks. 

19.  Yes,  as  soon  as  he  finds  a  promis- 
ing opening  in  a  good  location;  and 
better,  with  a  good  partner. 

20.  Yes,  if  conditions  are  right.  See 
No.  19. 

21.  Lack  of  intelligent,  energetic 
application  to  business. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Darwin's 
Origin  of  Species,  Wordsworth,  Les 
Mis6rables,  Pilgrim's  Progress. 

23.  A  quite  brief  time  daily  to  the 
newspapers;  more  time  to  magazines, 
reviews,  and  digests;  most  time  to 
books. 

24.  Only  if  congenial  and  offers  fair 
opportunity. 

25.  Trust,  obey,  and  serve  God. 
Character  is  first.  Keep  your  own 
heart  and  life  clean.  Congenial,  re- 
munerative occupations  are  the  condi- 
tions of  satisfactory  human  effort. 


George  B.  Francis 

Providence,  R.  I.  Civil  engineer. 
Resident  engineer  during  construc- 
tion of  Boston  Terminal  (depot). 


1.  To  trying  to  do  the  best  work  I 
could  on  whatever  subject  was  in 
hand,  and  always  being  ready  to 
accept  a  position  in  advance,  when 
offered,  even  though  it,  at  first,  caused 
discomfort,  extra  exertion,  or  study. 

2.  Yes,  if  he  can  find  such  opening. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 


9.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  likes  to  study. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  opportunity 
and  likes  to  study. 

15.  Same  as  No.  14, 

16.  Same  as  No.  14. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Laziness. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  The  most  necessary  quality  to 
insure  success  is  integrity.  This  to 
be  practised  in  the  minutest  detail. 


Thomas  J.  Borden 

Fall  River,  Mass.  Cotton  Goods 
Manufacturer.  President,  Fall  River 
Savings  Bank. 


1.  Close  observation  of  what  others 
do  and  why;  doing  everything 
promptly  and  thoroughly;  careful 
study  of  the  sciences  applicable  to 
the  Imes  of  business  in  which  I  have 
been  engaged;  endeavoring  to  earn 
the  utmost  confidence  of  others  in  all 
business  transactions. 

2.  Generally,  yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

6.  Not  until  he  has  outgrown  his 
own  locality. 

7.  Generally,  no. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Certainly. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  after  a  little. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Not  if  he  has  a  willingness  to  do 
something  else. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  That  depends  upon  the  quality 
of  his  experience  and  ability.  If  first 
class,  yes ;  otherwise,  no. 

21.  Lack  of  energy,  application,  and 
thoroughness. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  his  father  has  been  suc- 
cessful; otherwise,  no. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


249 


Rev.  C.  Kinloch  Nelson,  D.D. 

Atlanta,      Ga.        The     Bishop     of 
Georgia. 


1.  Hard  work  and  perseverance. 

2.  Usually. 
3-  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  No. 

6.  I  would  not. 

7.  Yes,  unless  there  is  something 
more  definite  ahead. 

8.  No. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 
u.  Experience. 

12.  Very  little. 

13.  Yes,  if  possible. 

14.  Yes,  if  possible. 

15.  Yes,  after  college  rather  than 
before. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  (a)  Thinking  without  doing;  (d) 
doing  without  thinking;  (c)  neither 
thinking  nor  doing. 

22.  The  New  Testament,  the  Book 
of  Common  Prayer,  Matthew's  "How 
to  Get  Along  in  the  World,"  Thack- 
eray's "The  Newcomes,"  Todd's 
"Student's  Manual,"  Drummond's 
"  Character." 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Keep  your  life  clean;  avoid 
stimulants;  think  before  you  act;  be 
punctual,  polite,  and  persevering. 


J.  W.  McLane 


New    York    City.      President,  The 
Vanderbilt  Clinic. 


I. 
ance 
2. 
3. 
4- 
6. 

7- 
8. 

9- 
10. 
II. 
12. 


Good  health,  industry,  persever- 

the  rgs  augusta  domi. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Ability. 

Only  partial. 


13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  Yes. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Doubtful  about  wisdom  of  it. 

20.  No. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  upon  general  principles. 


Edward  B.  Butler 

Chicago,  111.  Member  of  firm  of 
Butler  Brothers,  New  York,  Chicago, 
and  St.  Louis.  President,  Illinois 
Manual  Training  School  Farm.  Phil- 
anthropist. 


1.  Considering  the  thing  I  had  to 
do  as  worth  while.  Finding  a  new 
and  better  way  to  do  it. 

2.  Not  necessarily.  The  boy's  judg- 
ment in  such  matters  may  be  at  fault. 

3.  No. 

4.  Would  not  believe  in  forcing  a 
boy  to  do  anything  against  his  will, 
but  would  endeavor  to  persuade  him 
not  to  take  up  certain  lines  of  work. 

5.  Yes,  unless  I  wanted  him  to 
make  a  good  farmer. 

6.  Yes,  unless  some  desirable  work 
was  open  to  him. 

7.  No,  unless  changed  conditions, 
such  as  profit-sharing,  might,  perhaps, 
cause  him  to  take  a  new  interest  in 
farm  life. 

8.  Emphatically,  yes. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  No. 

13.  One  would  get  some  experience 
in  making  a  success.  Ability  alone 
never  makes  it. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Trying  to  imitate  others.  Not 
attending  to  their  own  business. 

22.  "  Up  from  Slavery  "  is  one. 

23.  Glance  at  headings  and  read  but 
little  of  the  matter. 

24.  No. 

25.  Do  what  you  have  to  do  in  an 
earnest  manner,  believing  it  worth 
while.  Be  honest  with  yourself.  Learn 
to  thi^k. 


250 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Edward  L.  Lomax 

Omaha,    Neb.     General    Passenger 
and  Ticket  Agent,  Union  Pacific  R.R. 


1.  Good  training,  patience,  perse- 
verance, 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes,  always, 
la  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Enter  a  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Impatience, 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Gray's 
Elegy,  Gibbon's  Rise  and  Fall  of 
Roman  Empire,  Sir  Walter  Scott's 
novels,  Dickens'  works,  Home  In- 
fluence, 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Not  unless  he  has  a  preference 
for  it. 

25.  "If  at  first  you  don't  succeed, 
try,  try  again." 


Herbert  P.  Gunnison 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Business  manager, 
part  owner,  and  director,  Brooklyn 
Daily  Eagle.  Secretary  and  treasurer. 
Eagle  Warehouse  and  Storage  Co. 
One  of  the  founders  and  treasurer, 
American  Newspaper  Publishers'  As- 
sociation. Director,  Brooklyn  Public 
Library. 

1.  Good  parents,  good  health,  good 
education  in  country  college,  applica- 
tion at  one  thing. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 


10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Not  much. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  it.. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Should  try  very  hard  to  induce 
him  to  go. 

18.  A  trade. 

21.  Indifference  and  lack  of  applica- 
tion and  interest  in  work. 

22.  Smiles'  Self-Help,  a  good  history 
of  Napoleon,  a  good  history  of  Wash- 
ington, the  Bible,  history  of  the 
United  States,  Shakespeare, 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Depends.  If  it  is  a  good  business 
and  the  boy  likes  it,  yes, 

25.  Take  good  care  of  your  health; 
get  a  good  education  (college,  if  pos- 
sible); learn  thoroughly  the  business, 
trade,  or  profession  in  which  you 
enter;  be  modest;  work  hard  and 
faithfully;  be  loyal  to  your  employer; 
stick  to  your  line;  be  enthusiastic  in 
your  work;  not  too  ambitious;  always 
ready  to  step  up  higher  when  the  call 
comes;  keep  good  company  and  be 
honest. 


Robert  Murray 

Manager,  Maplewood  Hotel,  White 
Mountains,  N.  H. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessary. 

11.  Ability, 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  attention. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Make    good    acquaintances    and 
improve  your  opportunities. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


251 


Rev.  Isaac  J.  Lansing 

Scranton,  Pa.  Pastor,  Greenridge 
Presbyterian  Church.    Author. 

1.  Outside  myself,  to  the  goodness 
of  God  in  giving  me  Christian  parents 
possessed  of  lofty  ideals  of  character 
and  the  uses  of  life.  Within  myself, 
to  early  faith  in  the  revelation  of  the 
Holy  Bible  and  its  standards  of  life. 
Coupled  with  these,  personal  acquaint- 
ance with  God  as  made  known  by 
Jesus  Christ,  as  my  Friend  always 
and  present.  From  these  sources  I 
was  inspired  with  love  of  all  men,  of 
all  created  things  as  subjects  of 
knowledge  and  interpreters  of  God's 
thought,  and  of  learning  as  invaluable 
for  growth  and  usefulness.  Early  I 
became  possessed  with  the  value  of 
harmonious  development,  including 
the  patient  training  of  all  my  powers, 
and  have  made  physical  culture  a  cor- 
relative of  all  spiritual  and  mental 
aspiration  and  exercise.  And  to  these 
I  add  a  permanent,  vital  faith  in  im- 
mortal life  as  the  explanation,  the  in- 
centive, and  the  goal  of  the  present 
life. 

2.  If  an  immature  boy,  I  should 
wait  to  see  if  he  changed  his  prefer- 
ence. If  it  persisted,  I  would  let  it 
govern,  if  not  wholly  unreasonable. 

3.  Perhaps  to  full  success;  yet 
many  persons  have  a  degree  of  suc- 
cess, which  by  common  measurement 
is  even  unusual,  who  wish  they  were 
in  another  calling. 

4.  No. 

5.  The  cities  contain  many  young 
men,  who  had  done  better  to  have 
remained  and  used  opportunities 
nearer  home.  Great  cities  fascinate 
the  weak,  who  pour  into  them  as 
wreckage  floats  on  the  river  to  the 
sea. 

6.  If  he  outgrows  his  opportunities, 
yes;  otherwise,  no. 

7.  Not  by  a  constraint  which  de- 
presses him  and  crushes  his  ambition. 

8.  Success  without  noble  character, 
making  a  business  grow  and  "  pay," 
comes  many  times  to  the  dishonest. 
But  this  is  selling  cheap  the  worthy 
success  which  discounts  all  other,  an 
exalted  personal  life. 

9.  Yes,  generally;  and  the  power 
to  work  steadily  and  patiently  to  be 
desired  above  genius. 

10.  A  labor  of  love  engrosses  the 
very  spirit  of  the  worker,  and  I  pity 


those  whose  business  is  such  that  it 
never  engages  their  ardent  devotion. 

11.  Ability  without  experience  is 
better  than  experience  without  ability; 
but  determination  and  experience 
seem  more  valuable  than  original  en- 
dowments. 

12.  Ability  without  experience  can 
initiate  success,  but  needs  experience 
to  expand  and  perfect  it. 

13.  To  college  or  a  technical  school. 

14.  I  doubt,  but  am  inclined  to  say, 
yes,  choosing  his  course  with  care. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  but  I  would  persuade  him 
very  earnestly. 

18.  A  trade,  because  comfort  and 
independence  are  more  assured  by  it. 

19.  If  he  cannot  be  content  to  work 
for  others,  let  him  try  for  himself; 
but  not  all  good  business  men  can 
carry  on  a  business  as  its  head. 

20.  No,  unless  some  one  who  be- 
lieves in  him  will  put  in  money  as  a 
partner,  against  his  experience  and 
ability. 

21.  Lack  of  economy  of  time,  of 
energy,  and  of  money. 

23.  Yes;  not  over  15  minutes  a  day. 

24.  I  see  no  reason  in  general  why 
a  boy  should  follow  his  father's  busi- 
ness. 

25.  Be  spiritual.  Seek  to  know  and 
love  God.  Rate  spiritual  life  first, 
intellectual  life  next,  and  physical 
life  third  in  rank,  each  and  all  deserv- 
ing highest  culture  in  this  order.  Love 
learning.  Keep  a  humble  estimate  of 
your  knowledge  and  a  great  reverence 
for  your  possibilities.  Don't  cheat  in 
anything.  Do  what  you  are  willing 
to  have  known  without  shame.  Value 
opportunity,  and  for  its  value  take 
the  word  of  wiser  and  older  people. 
Confide  in  your  father  and  mother.  If 
they  do  not  permit  this,  ask  counsel 
of  other  fathers  and  mothers.  Choose 
good  company  even  if  it  sometimes 
leaves  you  alone.  In  company  obey 
God  rather  than  compromise  with  evil. 
Be  polite.  Use  refined  language.  Re- 
spect yourself  and  respect  others. 
Protect  the  purity  of  every  woman 
unselfishly.  Guard  your  honor  by 
defending  hers.  Work  with  the  joy  of 
play,  never  as  a  drudge.  And  how- 
ever troubled,  perplexed,  discouraged, 
hold  to  the  faith  that  your  life  is  a 
beautiful  and  precious  thing,  a  glori- 
ous gift  of  God,  prepared  for  a 
splendid  destiny. 


252 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


William  A.  Mowry,  Ph.D. 

Hyde  Park,  Mass.  President,  Mar- 
tha's Vineyard  Summer  Institute. 
Ex-president,  Rhode  Island  Institute 
of  Instruction,  American  Institute  of 
Instruction,  and  of  Department  of 
Higher  Education,  National  Educa- 
tional Association.    Author. 


1.  {a)  Natural  endowment,  heredity. 
(l>^  Energy,  push.  (<:)  Education. 
(a)  Common  sense. 

2.  Yes,  sometimes,  not  always. 
Depends  upon  the  sound  sense  of  the 
boy. 

3.  Not  absolutely. 

4.  No. 

6.  No  rule  of  universal  application. 

7.  No,  not  generally. 

8.  No,  not  as  the  world  sometimes 
goes,  but  in  the  long  run,  yes. 

9.  Sure. 

10.  Yes,  to  be  specially  successful. 

11.  Both;  don't  separate  them,  I  beg 
of  you. 

12.  You  must  have  experience,  and 
will  have  it  before  you  can  get  suc- 
cess. 

13.  Yes,  sometimes. 

15.  Sometimes. 

16.  Yes,  sure. 

17.  Change  his  will.  If  you  cannot, 
let  him  stay  out. 

21.  Inexperience. 


Joseph  Alden  Shaw,  A.M. 

Worcester,      Mass.       Head-Master, 
Highland  Military  Academy. 


1.  See  No.  25. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Wellnigh  indispensable. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  unless  he  has  a  well-defined 
purpose  in  making  the  change. 

6.  Same  reply  as  before. 

7.  Not  indefinitely. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  I  do. 
la  I  do. 

11.  Both  indispeilsable  in  the  long 
run. 

12.  At  the  first,  of  course,  the  second 
factor  cannot  be  counted  upon. 

13.  In  many  cases  I  think  it  would 
be  very  helpful. 

14.  Same  as  before. 

15.  Yes. 


16.  Yes. 

17.  Never. 

21.  To  a  lack  of  industry,  facility, 
business  integrity,  and  capacity. 

22.  The  Bible,  Robinson  Crusoe, 
Neighbor  Jackwood,  Uncle  Tom's 
Cabin,  Silas  Marner,  dictionary. 

23.  Yes,  by  all  means. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest,  truthful,  prayerful, 
always  keep  your  promises  and  there- 
fore make  your  word  as  good  as  your 
bond. 


Joel  M.  Longenecker 

Chicago,  111.    Lawyer. 


1.  By  following  the  profession  I 
have  chosen,  that  of  law,  and  by  close 
application  to  it,  and  not  neglecting  it 
for  anything;  also  to  the  fact  that  I 
have  always  been  honest  with  my 
clients,  never  misrepresenting  any- 
thing to  them. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  always,  but  it  is  more  likely 
to  bring  success  by  following  prefer- 
ence. 

4.  No. 

5.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Depends  upon  the  sort  of  busi- 
ness ;  there  are  many  boys  in  college 
who  should  be  out,  and  many  out  who 
should  be  in  college. 

14.  No,  not  unless  it  is  along  the 
line  of  mechanical  training. 

15.  No. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Neglect. 

22.  The  Bible;  can't  say  as  to  others, 
as  it  depends  upon  the  boy. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  he  desires  to  do  so  and  does 
not  feel  that  he  is  better  fitted  for 
some  other. 

25.  Be  honest,  industrious,  truthful, 
ambitious,  kind,  moral,  temperate  in 
^11  things,  patriotic,  and  brave. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


253 


Rev.  Charles  E.Jefferson,  D.D. 

New  York  City.    Pastor,  Broadway 
Tabernacle  ChurcH.    Author. 


1.  An  impulse,  born  in  me,  pushing 
me  forward,  and  rendering  it  impos- 
sible for  me  to  be  idle.  A  capacity 
for  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  providing. 

6.  It  depends  entirely  on  the  boy; 
some  boys  ought  to  go. 

7.  No. 

8.  As  men  count  success,  no. 

9.  As  a  rule,  yes. 

10.  It  makes  success  easier. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  in  some  fields. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Not  often. 

21.  Lack  of  gray  matter  in  the  brain 
and  indolence. 

22.  The  New  Testament,  Life  of 
Washington,  Life  of  Lincoln,  a  history 
of  the  United  States,  a  history  of 
England,  any  one  of  the  great  poets. 

23.  No. 

24.  No. 

25.  Believing  in  God,  in  men,  and  in 
yourself,  do  the  best  you  can  wherever 
you  are  every  daj  of  your  life,  aiming 
always  to  do  still  better,  and  never 
worrying  about  past  failures  or  future 
perils. 


7.  No,  but  let  him  do  his  duty  to 
others. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Not  often. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  if  possible. 

15.  Yes,  positively. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade  or  business. 

19.  Yes. 
2a  No. 

21.  Want  of  sticking  to  it;  but 
"failure"  is  often  only  a  limited 
success. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  it  suits  him. 

25.  Believe  that  the  opportunities 
are  greater  than  ever,  and  strike  at 
the  chosen  one  with  all  your  might. 


T.  C.  Martin 

New  York  City.    Editor,  Electrical 
World. 


1.  Acquaintance  with  electricity 
from  childhood;  hard  work  and  un- 
remitted study  in  a  field  I  like. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes,  but  aptitude  not  prefer- 
ence merely. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 


CharlesR.  Williams,  A.  M.,  Ph.D. 

Indianapolis,  Ind.  Editor-in-chief, 
Indianapolis  News.  Formerly  literary 
editor,  New  York  World.  Late  pro- 
fessor of  Greek,  Lake  Forest  Uni- 
versity. 


1.  Hard   work  and    persistency  of 
purpose. 

2.  Of  course. 

3.  Probably  to  highest  success. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Most  certainly,  for  what  I  call 
success. 

9.  Sure. 

10.  To  be  entirely  successful,  yes. 

11.  Ability,  in  great  successes. 

12.  Ability  is  useless  unless  used 

13.  If  he  has  the  means. 

14.  Not  necessary. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Most  certainly. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes,  if  a  good  chance  offers. 

20.  Doubtful. 

21.  Lack  of  industry  and  definite 
purpose. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Life  of 
Washington,  Self-Help,  Robinson  Cru- 
soe, Scott's  novels. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  Tell  the  truth.  Do  nothing  that 
you  would  be  ashamed  to  tell  your 
mother. 


2S4 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Hon.  William  J.  Wallace 

Albany,  N.  Y.  Judge  of  United 
States  Circuit  Court  for  the  Second 
Judicial  Circuit. 


2.  Yes. 
6.  No. 
9.  Yes. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 


17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Too     ambitious     to     get     rich 
quickly. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Build  up  a  character  and  credit, 
and  learn  true  manhood. 


Samuel  W.  Allerton 

Chicago,  111.  Founder  of  live  stock 
trade.  Capitalist.  Stock  Farmer. 
Formerly  President,  Allerton  Packing 
Co. 


1.  To  the  teachings  of  my  father 
and  mother;  trying  to  be  a  man  of 
character  and  integrity;  not  being 
afraid  of  any  obstacle  that  might  be 
in  my  way;  to  industry,  economy, 
and  perseverance. 

2.  Yes;  life  is  a  game,  and  to  suc- 
ceed a  boy  must  take  a  great  interest 
in  what  he  does  or  he  will  not  succeed. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  No  boy  should  leave  his  home 
until  he  has  made  a  character  and 
credit  and  shown  that  he  can  do  some- 
thing in  his  own  surroundings. 

6.  In  nearly  all  our  large  cities  the 
active  progressive  men  are  mostly 
from  the  country,  but  he  should  first 
accomplish  something  in  his  own  city 
or  town  before  going  to  a  large  city. 

7.  Yes,  until  a  character  is  formed. 

8.  After  working  eight  years  on  a 
farm  with  an  older  brother,  I  said  I 
thought  I  could  do  better  in  the  live 
stock  trade.  He  replied,  "  If  you  keep 
on  as  you  are,  you  will  soon  own  the 
best  farm  in  the  county,  but  if  you 
wish  to  try  it,  all  the  advice  I  have  to 
give  is  this,  make  a  name  and  a  char- 
acter, be  honest,  and  you  will  suc- 
ceed." 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  It  requires  both. 

12.  No. 

13.  No. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 


Rev.  Charles  A.  Dickey,  D.D. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  Pastor,  Bethany 
Presbyterian  Church.  President, 
Presbyterian  Hospital. 


1.  Minding  my  own  business,  and 
trying  to  regard  the  rights  of  others. 
Making  the  best  possible  use  of  any 
ability  possessed  and  of  my  own  ex- 
perience; but  most  of  all  I  attribute 
any  success  that  I  have  had  to  the 
good  providence  and  grace  of  God. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes.  • 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  knows  what  he  is 
going  for  and  has  a  good  chance. 

6.  No,  not  as  an  experiment;  yes, 
if  he  can  better  himself. 

7.  He  had  better  stay  on  the  farm 
until  he  has  the  offer  of  better. 

8.  Yes,  final  success. 

9.  Of  course. 

10.  Yes,  fully  successful;  may  have 
some  success  in  spite  of  not  being 
fond  of  work. 

11.  Ability  makes  sure  foundations; 
experience  builds  success. 

12.  In  a  measure,  but  experience 
helps  greatly. 

13.  By  all  means,  unless  he  is  foolish 
enough  to  get  above  his  business. 

14.  Yes,  to  make  him  a  gentleman, 
and  for  self-improvement. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Most  assuredly. 

17.  No;  if  he  cannot  appreciate  such 
an  opportunity  it  will  not  do  much 
good. 

18.  Take  the  first  thing  that  offers, 
and  wait  for  ambition  for  something. 

19.  Not  too  soon;  better  get  good 
training  before  risking  capital. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  common  sense. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Long- 
fellow, History  of  the  United  States, 
Dickens,  and  a  general  history. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


255 


23.  Yes,  if  he  can  find  a  clean  one. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Keep  yourself  clean;  believe  in 
Jesus  Christ,  and  follow  His  precepts 
and  His  example.  Honor  your  parents. 
Respect  good  women.  Keep  clear  of 
bad  women.  Be  faithful.  Be  truth- 
ful. Do  not  think  that  you  know  it 
all.  Aim  to  succeed  by  making  the 
very  best  of  your  opportunities,  and 
do  not  expect  others  to  give  you  suc- 
cess. 


Edgar  A.  Bancroft 

Chicago,  111.  Vice-president  and 
solicitor,  Chicago  &  Western  Indiana 
R.R.  and  Belt  R.R.  Co.  of  Chicago. 
Late  attorney,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe 
R.R.    Author. 


20.  Same  as  No.  19. 

21.  Weak  will-power,  resulting  in 
indecision,  lack  of  courage  and  per- 
sistence, drink  habit,  and  other  vices. 

22.  Gough's  Autobiography ;  Life  of 
Elihu  Burritt;  Holland's  or  Herndon's 
or  Tarbell's  Life  of  Lincoln;  Frank- 
lin's Autobiography;  Boy's  Plutarch's 
Lives;  Life  of  George  Washington 
(Irving's  or  Wilson's). 

23.  No. 

24.  Yes,  unless  it  is  distinctly  dis- 
tasteful to  him. 

25.  Believe  that  you  can  accomplish 
any  great  objects  that  you  are  willing 
to  "toil  terribly"  and  persistently 
for;  but  you  must  aim  at  that  one 
thing,  and  be  willing  to  surrender  all 
lesser  ambitions  and  inclinations. 
Have  a  worthy  "  ruling  passion,"  and 
let  it  rule  like  a  despot  until  it  is 
accomplished;  then  seek  another. 


1.  Parents'  devotion  and  willing- 
ness to  make  sacrifices  in  order  to 
give  their  children  college  education. 
Work,  resulting  from  motives  for  work 
usually  called  ambition. 

2.  Yes,  if  he  has  any  aptitude  for 
it.  Yes,  anyway,  if  his  preference  is 
intense. 

3.  No.  Will-to-succeed  is  much  more 
important. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  but  not  until  he  has  proved 
himself  a  good  farmer. 

6.  As  a  rule,  no. 

7.  Yes,  until  he  has  shown  that  he 
has  more  sense  than  dislike. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  It  is  a  prime  necessity. 

10.  No,  but  it  is  very  helpful. 

11.  Experience,  with  natural  capabil- 
ity, produce  ability.  But  experience 
is  acquired,  and  its  value  depends  on 
natural  endowments.  Therefore, 
latter  is  more  important. 

12.  Of  course  it  can,  if  great  enough, 
and  its  exercise  is  experience. 

13.  Certainljr,  unless  his  ambition  is 
merely  to  be  rich. 

14.  That  depends  upon  how  much 
brains  he  has  for  a  college  to  operate 
on. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  It  is  indispensable. 

17.  Yes.  What  does  the  boy  know 
about  college  half  the  time? 

18.  If  he  can't  decide,  he  had  better 
*'  draw  cuts  "  for  it. 

19.  By  all  means,  if  there  is  a  fair 
opening. 


H.  Clay  Trumbull 

Philadelphia,   Pa.    Editor,   Sunday- 
School  Times.    Author. 


1.  To  the  recognizing  my  place  as 
the  one  that  God  has  called  me  to  be 
in  for  the  time  being,  and  then  striv- 
ing to  do  my  duty  there,  whether  fame 
or  failure,  riches  or  poverty,  be  the 
result.  Since  my  young  manhood,  I 
have  never  seen  the  time  when  I 
would  change  the  place  to  which 
I  had  been  called  for  the  time,  even  to 
rule  a  nation,  to  secure  ten  million 
dollars  a  year,  or  to  evangelize  a  hemi- 
sphere, without  a  special  and  unmis- 
takable new  call  from  God. 

2.  As  a  rule,  no.  A  trainer  in 
athletics  would  be  most  unwise  who 
taught  a  pupil  to  exercise  only  the 
muscles  that  he  best  liked  to  exercise, 
and  that  he  could  exercise  the  easier. 
Inclination  is  often  to  be  counted  a 
warning  rather  than  an  invitation. 

3.  As  a  rule,  no.  An  intelligent 
preference  for  a  particular  calling  is 
more  likely  to  be  a  consequence  of 
acquired  knowledge  of  it  than  a  pre- 
liminary call  to  it. 

4.  If  a  parent  has  to  force  a  boy 
into  his  mission,  the  trouble  and  lack 
are  with  the  parent,  not  the  boy.  Until 
the  parent  realizes  this,  he  is  incom- 
petent to  properly  train  or  lead  or 
even  counsel  a  child. 

5.  That  depends  on  where  the  boy's 


256 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


duty  lies.  Inclination,  or  prospect  of 
worldly  well-doing,  is  a  small  matter 
in  comparison  with,  or  as  over  against, 
positive  duty. 

6.  He  should  be  where  he  ought  to 
be.  Whether  that  is  a  small  place  or 
a  large  one  is  a  minor  question.  It  is 
better  to  have  a  hard  time  doing  duty 
in  a  small  place,  than  an  easy  time 
shirking  duty  in  a  large  place. 

7.  If  farming  be  a  boy's  duty,  he 
ought  to  do  that  duty  faithfully, 
whether  he  likes  it  or  not. 

8.  Judging  from  the  course  of  a 
good  many  "successful"  business 
men,  I  might  think  not.  But  one 
ought  to  be  honest  whether  it  tends 
to  business  success  or  business  failure. 
"Business  success"  is  unworthy  of 
one's  aim,  in  comparison  with  right- 
doing. 

Q.  Persistent  application  is  essential 
while  it  is  a  duty.  Letting  go  is  equally 
a  duty  when  it  is  a  duty.  "  Prayer  and 
provender  hinder  no  man."  Earnest- 
ness is  essential  to  right-doing. 

10.  Love  of  one's  work  is  not  essen- 
tial to  "  success  "  in  that  work.  Lov- 
ing to  be  in  one's  work,  because  it  is 
one's  work,  is  an  essential  element  of 
true  manhood. 

11.  Ability  to  do  one's  present  work 
is,  of  course,  essential  to  the  gaining 
of  experience  in  that  work. 

12.  As  these  two  qualities  are  inter- 
dependent they  cannot  well  be  sepa- 
rated. 

13.  That  depends  upon  the  boy  and 
the  particular  college.  The  best  col- 
lege-life exercises  and  develops  the 
mental  qualities  of  the  student.  Such 
training  ought  to  enable  a  boy  to  do 
better  in  business  than  he  could  do 
without  such  training. 

14.  A  boy  ought  to  make  a  better 
blacksmith  if  he  has  a  well-trained 
mind.  Elihu  Burritt  illustrates  that. 
Mental  training  in  any  sphere  a  boy 
should  have,  however  he  gets  it. 

15.  If  a  technical  school  gives  a 
student  good  mental  training,  it  may 
be  a  good  place  for  him.  But  proper 
mental  and  intellectual  training  a 
student  must  have  if  he  is  to  do  his 
best  work  in  any  sphere. 

16.  A  good  college  training  may  help 
a  man  in  preparation  for  any  profes- 
sion, but  that  training  is  not  in  itself 
a  man's  full  preparation  for  profes- 
sional life.  This  truth  every  boy  should 
be  helped  to  realize.  No  college  can 
in  itself  make  a  man  a  clergyman,  a 


physician,  a  lawyer,  even  if  it  g^ves 
him  the  degree  of  B.D.,  M.D.,  or  LL.D.  , 

17.  No,  most  emphatically,  no.  It  1. 
never  is  right  to  force  a  boy  into  either  f 
wrong-doing  or  right-doing.  It  is 
proper  to  train  a  boy's  will  into  the 
right  way,  whatever  way  that  is.  Jail 
or  prison  is  the  only  institution  into 
which  to  "force  "  a  boy;  and  only  the 
civil  government  can  do  that. 

18.  If  I  understood  a  boy  thoroughly, 
and  had  any  responsibility  for  him,  I 
should  counsel  him  as  to  what  seemed 
best  in  his  particular  case.  But  to 
give  the  same  counsel  to  all  boys, 
would  only  indicate  my  utter  incom- 
petency to  aid  and  advise  boys. 

19.  Such  a  young  man  ought  to  do 
something  in  life.  But  "going  into 
business  "  merely  to  make  money,  or 
to  have  "  success,"  is  not  an  object  in 
life  worthy  of  any  young  man. 

20.  That  depends  on  what  the  ' '  busi- 
ness "  is,  or  why  the  young  man  is 
going  into  that  business,  and  on  the 
friend  or  helper,  whose  financial  aid 
he  seeks. 

21.  Many  a  failure  is  a  preparation 
and  a  step  toward  future  success. 
Many  failures  are  caused  by  men's 
inability  to  carry  out  successfully 
their  evil  plans.  And  many  failures,  es- 
pecially in  these  days,  are  caused  by 
the  determination  of  men  of  "ability  " 
and  "  experience  "  to  have  success  at 
the  cost  of  breaking  down  others. 

22.  Next  to  advising  a  boy  to  be 
familiar  with  the  Bible  and  its  teach- 
ings, I  should  want  to  know  the  boy, 
his  needs  and  his  surroundings,  before 
I  selected  five  other  books  for  his  read- 
ing. A  good  deal  depends  on  what 
books  he  is  already  familiar  with. 

23.  A  busy  and  intelligent  boy  should 
not  spend  too  much  time  on  a  daily 
paper,  nor  believe  too  much  of  what 
is  in  it.  A  boy,  of  course,  should 
have  a  general  knowledge  of  the  events 
of  the  day,  including  what  is  in  the 
best  daily  paper  available. 

24.  That  depends  on  the  business, 
on  the  father,  and  on  the  boy.  Many 
a  boy  would  be  very  unwise  not  to 
enter  the  good  business  his  father  has 
built  up  and  that  he  seems  fitted  to 
carry  to  heights  it  has  never  attained. 
Many  another  boy  would  be  very 
unwise  to  enter  his  father's  business, 
as  it  is  and  as  he  is.  In  many  a  case 
providential  indications  will  make 
duty  clear  against  all  appearances  as 
they  now  seem  to  father  and  to  son. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


257 


25.  My  message  to  young  men  would 
be,  in  brief,  Know  what  is  your  duty, 
and  then  do  it  whatever  be  the  con- 
sequences. "Do  right,  though  the 
heavens  fall."  Doing  that  gives  the 
only  true  success  in  life. 


Charles  E.  Atwood,  M.D. 

New  York  Cit^.  Society  of  the 
New  York  Hospital,  Bloomingdale. 
Clinical  assistant,  nervous  diseases, 
medical  department,  Columbia  Uni- 
versity. 


1.  My  extremely  moderate  success 
has  been  achieved  largely  by  my  own 
effort.  I  had  to  decide  for  myself 
whether  I  should  enter  college,  which 
I  did  at  the  age  of  15,  graduating  at 
18.  I  had  to  decide  on  my  profession 
(medicine), 'and  all  the  positions  I  have 
held  since  graduation  have  been  gained 
in  competition,  except  present  one, 
which  was  by  appointment. 

2.  Under  limitations :  if  honorable ; 
if  compatible  with  social  position;  if 
not  purely  for  money. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  especially  if  he  can  secure 
a  start  with  friendly  and  moral 
auspices. 

6.  No,  unless  the  local  social  en- 
vironment was  prejudicial  in  the 
small  town.  Sometimes  it  is  well  to 
cut  loose  from  bad  companions. 

7.  No. 

8.  Most  assuredly. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 
n.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  a  suitable  college  (practical) 
such  as  Cornell  University,  or  to 
technical  school. 

15.  Yes,  or  to  Cornell,  or  similar 
practical  college. 

16.  Most  assuredly. 

17.  Yes,  a  trial  (under  local  friendly 
eyes  to  guard  morals,  etc.). 

18.  Busmess. 

19.  A  hard  question;  to  be  decided 
only  in  individual  cases  on  merits  in 
each  case.  Depends  upon  competi- 
tion of  trusts,  large  houses  in  same 
business,  demand,  etc.  Under  favor- 
able external  circumstances,  yes. 

20.  No;    the    circumstances    would 


have  to  be  extremely  favorable  for 
this. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Gib- 
bon's History  of  Rome  (abridged), 
history  of  his  own  country,  Proctor's 
Other  Worlds  Than  Ours,  Dickens' 
Christmas  Carol,  Leather  Stocking 
Tales  (Cooper),  Westward  Ho  (Kings- 
ley),  With  Clive  in  India  (Grant), 
The  Talisman  (Scott),  The  Three 
Midshipmen  (Kingston),  The  Chron- 
icles of  Froissart. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Boys,  if  you  want  to  succeed  in 
life,  be  always  honorable;  live  up  to 
your  conscience;  do  not  drink  or 
gamble;  do  a  little  more  than  is  ex- 
pected of  you,  and  do  it  a  little  better. 


Rev.Elmer  H.Capen,D.D.,LL.D. 

Tufts    College,    Massa- 


President 
chusetts. 


1.  (a)  "Sticking  to  my  last."  Per- 
sistence. (3)  Doing  day  by  day,  with 
reasonable  fidelity,  the  things  which 
the  day  brings  to  be  done,  (c)  Having 
a  high'ideal,  and  keeping  my  eye  fixed 
on  it,  but  never  losing  consciousness 
of  the  fact  that  I  walk  on  solid 
ground. 

2.  I  most  certainly  should,  unless 
there  are  serious  obstacles  in  the  way. 

3.  No,  because  men  often  develop 
an  interest  in  whatever  work  they  are 
obliged  to  do. 

4.  I  consider  it  most  unwise. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  feels  that  he  can  com- 
mand a  better  opportunity  in  the  city. 

6.  It  depends  on  the  boy;  if  he  has 
large  capacities,  which  cannot  find 
their  full  employment  where  he  is,  he 
had  better  seek  a  broader  field. 

7.  No  more  than  he  should  be  forced 
into  the  ministry,  if  he  has  no  taste 
for  the  ministry. 

8.  For  any  success  that  is  worth 
having. 

9.  Absolutely. 

10.  One  must  take  an  interest  in  his 
work  whether  it  is  agreeable  or  other- 
wise. 

11.  Both  are  important,  but  in  some 
callings  experience  counts  for  more 
than  in  others. 

12.  In  many  instances  it  does. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  time  and  means 
and  the  requisite  mental  qualities. 
Education  counts  everywhere. 


2S8 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


14.  A  college  education  is  valuable 
in  whatever  a  man  may  subsequently 
do. 

15.  Yes,  let  him  go  to  college  first, 
if  he  can,  and  then  take  the  technical 
school. 

16.  Yes,  unless  his  age  would  make 
him  too  old  when  he  comes  to  his 
profession. 

17.  No. 

18.  Such  a  boy  does  not  give  much 
promise  for  anything;  perhaps  he 
would  do  best  in  a  trade. 

19.  The  nature  of  the  business  usu- 
ally determines  in  such  a  case ;  if  it  is 
one  involving  great  risks,  probably  it 
would  be  better  for  him  to  hold  on  to 
his  salary  and  avoid  the  risks. 

21.  I  do  not  believe  the  wisest  man 
in  the  world  can  specify  a  single 
cause.  The  causes  are  almost  as 
varied  as  the  failures. 

22.  The  Bible  and  Shakespeare,  for 
English;  some  good  books,  for  general 
history,  taking  particular  pains  to  read 
with  care  English  and  American  his- 
tory; Scott,  Dickens,  and  Victor 
Hugo,  for  fiction;  after  that,  such 
great  master-pieces,  written  in  prose 
or  poetry,  as  he  may  be  drawn  to. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  it  is  a  good  one. 

25.  Wake  up,  boys !  This  is  a  great 
age,  full  of  great  opportunities.  Get 
ready  for  them.  As  soon  as  jou  are 
ready,  seize  that  one  for  which  you 
are  best  fitted,  and  hold  on  to  it  until 
you  have  exhausted  all  its  possibili- 
ties. The  time  is  short.  "Watch  ye, 
stand  fast  in  the  faith,  quit  you  like 
men,  be  strong." 


7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
ID.  Yes. 

11.  Ability  is  likely  to  follow  ex- 
perience. 

12.  Possible,  but  not  probable. 

13.  Yes,  if  practicable. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Let  him  learn  a  trade  under  a 
competent  employer  or  teacher. 

19.  As  a  rule,  yes. 

20.  Better  connect  himself  with  an 
honorable  man,  who  has  capital  and 
is  willing  to  invest  it  against  ex- 
perience. 

21.  Lack  of  experience  and  lack  of 
application. 

22.  Bible,  Blackstone,  Civil  Code, 
Criminal  Code,  Shakespeare,  Ameri- 
can history  (up-to-date). 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  it  is  in  his  estimation  a  good 
business,  and  he  likes  it,  I  see  no 
reason  for  going  elsewhere. 

25.  Be  prompt  in  meeting  engage- 
ments, and  above  all  things,  be  strictly 
honorable  in  all  transactions. 


General  John  F.  Weston 

Washington,    D.     C.      Commissary 
General,  United  States  Navy. 


Edward  S.  Dawson 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.    President,  Onon- 
daga County  Savings  Bank. 


1.  For  the  position  attained  and 
held  by  me,  I  am  indebted  to  good 
health,  industry,  application,  and 
perseverance. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  I  would  advise  him  to,  at  least, 
serve  an  apprenticeship  in  the  calling 
or  business  preferred  before  going  to 
the  larger  place. 


1.  Such  success  as  I  have  is  due  to 
a  knowledge  of  my  business  and  an 
honest  and  sturdy  application  of  it. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  I  do. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Inattention. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


259 


23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  truthful,  patriotic, 
and  be  ready  to  pay  for  the  reputa- 
tion of  patriotism  when  the  President 
calls  for  troops;  manly,  generous, 
unselfish,  and  considerate  to  those 
under  you. 


D.  A.  Robinson,  M.D. 

Bangor,  Me.    Physician.    President, 
School  Committee. 


Hon.  Wm.  T.  Clark 

Cleveland,  Ohio.  Ex-president, 
Board  of  Education.  Commander-in- 
chief  of  the  Union  Veteran  Union. 


1.  First,  the  training  given  me  by 
my  mother.  Second,  to  application, 
perseverance,  and  truthfulness  with 
my  fellow-men. 

2.  Yes,  if  it  is  the  judgment  of 
honest  thought. 

3.  Generally,  yet  there  have  been 
notable  exceptions. 

4.  Parents  know  the  temperament 
of  the  child,  and  can  best  judge. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  by  all  means. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability,  for  that  can  get  experi- 
ence. 

12.  Yes,  if  opportunity  presents  it- 
self. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes;  oftentimes  g^eat  results 
have  followed. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes;  independence  is  the  best 
inspiration  for  large  success  in  the 
highest  sense  of  the  term. 

20.  No ;  debt  is  a  drag-shoe  to  most 
men. 

21.  Undue  haste  to  be  rich,  and  lack 
of  proper  balance. 

22.  (a)  The  Bible,  {d)  Scottish  Chiefs, 
(c)  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,  (d)  Robinson 
Crusoe,  (<?)  Dickens'  Child's  History  of 
England,  (/)  Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln 
or  George  Washington. 

23.  No. 

24.  Not  except  a  marked  aptitude  be 
shown. 

25.  Remember  your  fathers  kindly, 
and  despise  not  your  mothers  when 
they  are  old. 


1.  Having  a  good  mother  and  father, 
who  started  me  right. 

2.  By  all  means,  if  it  be  a  legitimate 
and  profitable  one. 

3.  Not  necessary,  but  is  very  desir- 
able. 

4.  Not  generally;  there  might  be 
extenuating  circumstances. 

5.  That  would  depend  upon  the 
boy.  If  he  were  bright,  energetic,  am- 
bitious, industrious,  with  a  [good  edu- 
cation, I  would. 

7.  Not  if  he  can  do  better  at  some- 
thing else. 

8.  Certainly. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  To  attain  the  highest  success. 

11.  Ability;  for  without  that,  experi- 
ence will  be  of  no  avail. 

12.  Yes,  for  experience  will  come  in 
time  to  any  one. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  If  he  can't  go  to  college. 

16.  Yes. 

'  17.  It  depends  upon  how  old  he  is, 
and  why  he  does  not  want  to  go. 

18.  Yes;  ambition  will  come  later. 

19.  Yes ;  it  will  make  more  of  a  man 
of  him. 

20.  No;  better  wait  and  economize 
and  save  for  himself. 

21.  Extravagance. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes;  inheritance  or  inherited 
traits  are  often  of  marked  aid. 

25.  Boys,  do  your  best  every  time. 


James  E.  Moore,  M.D. 

Minneapolis,  Minn.  Surgeon.  Sur- 
geon-in-chief, Northwestern  Hospital. 
Surgeon  to  St.  Barnabas  and  City 
Hospitals.  Author  of  works  on  sur- 
gery. 

1.  Persistent  endeavor  in  a  definite 
direction.    Seeming  adversity. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No;   success  begets  a  liking  for 
any  business. 

4.  No. 

6.  Not  until  he  has  outgrown  his 
original  environment. 

7.  No. 


IK 


26o 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes,  above  all  things. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability.  A  man  of  ability  will 
get  experience. 

12.  No;  see  No.  11. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Not  unless  he  shows  special  tal- 
ent. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Let  him  learn  a  trade  or  take  a 
pick  and  shovel.  We  must  have  many 
unskilled  workmen. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No;  if  he  has  ability  he  will  get 
capital  soon  enough. 

21.  Lack  of  persistent  effort  in  a 
definite  direction. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  clean,  morally  and  physically. 
•'  Hitch  your  wagon  to  a  star,"  and  do 
the  best  you  know  at  all  times  and 
under  all  circumstances. 

Remarks.  I  would  have  the  parents 
remember  that  it  is  their  duty  to  teach 
the  boys  that  they  may  aspire  to  any- 
thing, and  that  they  cannot  hope  to 
accomplish  great  things  unless  they 
have  high  aspirations.  Don't  l^t  them 
drift  along  until  they  find  out  from 
experience  or  accident  that  they  can 
do  things.  Teach  every  boy  that  he 
owes  it  to  himself  and  his  genera- 
tion to  outstrip  his  father  and  his  gen- 
eration. Many  a  boy  has  lost  ten 
good  years  because  he  was  not  told 
that  he  could  do  almost  anything  he 
tried  provided  he  tried  hard  enough. 


11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes;  experience  can  be  acquired. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  salaried  position  would  be  best 
for  him. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  ability,  or  lack  of  appli- 
cation, or  both. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  For  their  personal  life,  I  would 
repeat  the  injunction  which  David 
Copperfield's  aunt  laid  upon  him, 
*'  Never  be  false,  never  be  mean, 
never  be  cruel."  For  their  business 
life,  I  would  add  that  intelligence, 
integrity,  promptness,  politeness,  and 
accuracy  are  the  qualities  which  win 
success. 


Samuel  C.  Eastman 

Concord,    N.    H.     President,    New 
Hampshire  Savings  Bank. 


Boston,    Mass. 
National  Bank. 


Francis  B.  Sears 

President,    Third 


1.  To  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessary,  but  very  helpful. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  has  ability  and  a  taste  for 
business  or  professional  life,  yes. 

6.  If  he  has  the  determination  to 
succeed  in  a  large  way,  yes. 

7.  It  would  depend  on  his  capacity 
for  other  things. 

8.  Emphatically,  yes. 

9.  Absolutely  necessary. 
10.  No. 


1.  Attending  faithfully  to  business 
intrusted  to  me  and  constantly  trying 
to  become  better  qualified  to  dis- 
charge my  duties. 

2.  Yes.  j 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  desires  a  greater  suc- 
cess than  that  afforded  at  home,  but 
all  country  boys  are  not  fitted  for  it. 

6.  The  average  boy  will  be  happier 
at  home  in  the  long  run. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  though  many  dishonest  men 
accumulate  wealth. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  He  must,  at  least,  like  it,  or  else 
have  the  power  of  forcing  himself  to 
keep  up  to  the  mark. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No,  as  I  understand  the  words 
used. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  do  so. 

14.  Probably  not,  but  a  disciplined 
mind  helps  anywhere.  A  boy  who 
desires  to  learn  a  mechanical  trade 
would  generally  not  want  to  go  to 
college. 

15.  In  some  cases  I  would,  but  gen- 
erally such  boys  would  not  wish  to  go. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  261 


i^  Yes,  if  he  can  find  a  fair  oppor- 
tunity. 

21.  Carelessness  in  business  and 
neglect  in  little  matters. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  likes  it. 

25.  "Stick  to  your  aim,  the   mon- 

grel's hold  will  slip. 

But  only  crow-bars  loose  the 
bulldog's  grip ; 

Small  as  looks  the  jaw  that  never 
yields 

Drags  down  the  bellowing  mon- 
arch of  the  fields." 


Gilbert  A.  Phillips 

Providence,  R.  I.    President,  Provi- 
dence Institution  for  Savings. 


General  William  Crozier 

Washington,  D.  C.  Chief  of  Ord- 
nance, United  States  Army.  Inventor. 
Delegate  to  The  Hague  Peace  Confer- 
ence. 


1.  To  interest  in  my  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  ability  and  indus- 
try. 

6.  It  would  be  safer  to  stay  at 
home,  but  the  reward  of  exceptional 
industry  and  ability  will  be  greater  in 
the  large  city. 

7.  Not  if  he  has  ability  and  indus- 
try. 

8.  No,  but  it  is  necessary  to  self- 
respect. 

9.  Yes,  for  a  great  success,  or  for 
success  in  the  face  of  difiiculty. 

10.  Yes,  to  be  very  successful. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  with  industry. 

13.  Yes,  if  possible. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade  or  business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  the  creditors  were  fully 
informed  as  to  the  venture. 

21.  To  lack  of  energy  and  persistent 
industry. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  has  a  taste  for  it. 

25.  Remember  that  nothing  can  take 
the  place  of  strict  integrity  as  a  source 
of  satisfaction  through  life,  and  that 
no  element  is  so  contributory  to  suc- 
cess as  the  energy  which  comes  from 
interest  in  one's  work. 


1.  Perseverance. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  As  he  prefers. 

7.  Decidedly,  no. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  in  time. 

13.  If  he  can. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Ashe  prefers. 

25.  Honesty,     perseverance,     good 
character. 


Frederic  B.  Pratt 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.    Pratt  Institute. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  No,  not  unless  he  has   decided 
ability  and  strong  character. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No ;  perseverance  will  ultimately 
develop  interest  and  love. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  has  any  preference; 
otherwise  not. 

14.  Not  the  average  boy. 

15.  To  a  technical  or  trade  school, 
yes ;  but  not  an  engineering  one. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  In  a  large  city,  no;  in  a  small 
town,  yes. 

21.  Lack  of  persistence. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 


262 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


W.  F.  Potter 

Long  Island   City,   N.  Y.     General 
Superintendent,  Long  Island  R.R. 


1.  Persistent  application  at  all  times 
and  under  every  and  all  conditions. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  Most  unwise. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Yes;  I  think  a  boy  should  leave 
home. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  can. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes., 

20.  No. 

21.  Want  of  persistent  application. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  patient,  truthful,  loyal,  hon- 
est, untiring. 


Hon.  Hernando  D.  Money 

Carrollton,    Miss.       United    States 
Senator.    Lawyer  and  planter. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  Do  not  believe  in  forcing  boy  as 
to  matters  of  kind  of  work. 

5.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Some  people  succeed  in  business 
by  dishonesty,  but  never  are  a  success. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes;  anything  to  quit  a  job. 

21.  Want  of  self-confidence. 
23.  Yes, 


Horace  S.  Tarbell,  LL.D. 

Providence,  R.  I.  Superintendent  of 
Public  Schools.  Author  of  school  text- 
books. 


1.  To  having  had  a  good  father  and 
mother,  and  to  having  a  good  wife. 

2.  Yes,  if  the  preference  is  ration- 
ally formed. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Try  the  small  place  first. 

7.  No. 

8.  No;  honesty  is  morally  essential; 
it  is  not  always  financially  profitable. 

9.  Yes. 
la  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Having  ability,  experience  can 
be  gained. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Into  some  businesses,  not  to 
compete  with  Standard  Oil  or  such 
trusts. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  foresight. 

23.  Yes,  if  he  can  also  read  some 
good  books. 

24.  Yes. 


E.  R.  Burpee 


Bangor,  Me.  Civil  Engineer.  Mem- 
ber of  Prudential  Committee,  Ameri- 
can Board. 


1.  Christian  home  and  praying 
parents. 

2.  Most  assuredly  if  it  is  an  honest 
business. 

3.  Not  always. 

4.  Certainly  not. 

5.  Unless  his  character  is  founded, 
he  runs  great  risk  in  a  large  city. 

6.  No,  unless  his  ability  makes  it 
an  object  for  some  one  to  get  him.  In 
our  countrjr  it  is  hard  to  hide  talent 
and  enterprise. 

8.  Most  assuredly. 

9,  Yes. 

10.  He  is  much  surer  of  success  if 
his  heart  is  in  his  business. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


263 


13.  Not  always.  A  college  education 
is  good,  but  not  at  all  necessary. 

16.  I  suppose  it  would  be  almost 
necessary. 

18.  A  trade. 

20.  No. 

21.  Extravagance  and  inattention  to 
details  of  business. 

23.  If  he  can  get  a  good  one.  It  is 
necessary  to  keep  informed  on  current 
events. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Follow  Christ's  teaching  and 
example.    Be  honest  and  truthful. 


Josephus  N.  Larned 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Superintendent, 
Buffalo  Library.  Ex-president,  Ameri- 
can Library  Association.    Author. 


for  one  moment  forget  that  what  you 
will  be,  in  the  last  half  or  two  thirds 
of  your  life,  depends  on  the  habits 
you  form  in  your  youth  and  early 
manhood;  habits  of  thinking,  care- 
fully or  carelessly;  habits  of  seeing, 
the  half  or  the  whole  of  things ;  habits 
of  opinion-making,  on  information 
and  reasoning  of  your  own,  or  on  trust 
from  others ;  habits  of  feeling,  genially 
or  ill-naturedly,  generously  or  sel- 
fishly, calmly  or  fretfully;  habits  of 
speech,  with  careful  or  careless  gram- 
mar, articulation,  and  voice;  habits 
of  manner,  refined  or  coarse.  The 
difference  between  a  cultivated  gen- 
tleman and  a  man  of  vulgar  stamp  lies 
mainly  in  these,  which  are  the  differ- 
ence of  the  habits  that  were  grafted 
on  them  in  early  life.  You  have  now 
the  making  of  yourselves  into  one  or 
the  other,  as  you  choose. 


2.  Yes,  if  he  really  knows  what  he 
prefers  and  what  he  can  do  best,  but 
a  boy's  preference  is  often  an  ignorant 
one,  both  as  to  himself  and  as  to  the 
thing  preferred. 

3.  No.  "What  thou  best  canst  un- 
derstand is  just  the  thing  lies  nearest 
to  thy  hand,"  said  Goethe,  with  great 
wisdom.  "Whatsoever  thy  hand 
findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  whole 
might."  These  are  the  best  rules  for 
attaining  full  success. 

4.  There  should  be  no  force  in  any 
such  case,  but  calm  consultation 
and  reasoning  between  parent  and 
son. 

8.  How  can  it  be  otherwise  than 
necessary  to  anything  which  deserves 
the  name  of  "  success." 

9.  Undoubtedly. 

10.  At  least,  the  work  that  is  done 
lovingly  will  be  done  best. 

13.  If  he  is  one  to  whom  college  can 
give  anything,  he  will  be  the  better 
for  its  gifts. 

14.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  13. 

15.  If  he  can. 

17.  If  he  needs  to  be  forced,  he  is 
not  likely  to  ^find  anything  in  college 
worth  sending  him  for. 

23.  Yes,  in  moderation;  reading  for 
knowledge  of  the  important  news  of 
the  day,  and  not  for  its  gossip  and 
trivialities. 

25.  Be  more  afraid  of  catching  bad 
habits  than  of  catching  smallpox  or 
the  plague.  Be  infinitely  more  careful 
to  furnish  and  fit  yourself  with  good 
habits  than  with  good  clothes.    Never 


John  G.  Wight 

New  York  City.     Principal, 
leigh  High  School. 


Wad- 


1.  Discretion;   I  'say  'this  in  all  hu- 
mility, for  "I  have  failed  much." 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Generally,  no. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes;  as  a  man  with  a  ruined  con- 
science has  not  succeeded. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Both. 

12.  There  can  be  no  success  without 
experience. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Better  a  technical  school. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  You  can't  do  it  anyway. 

19.  Certainly. 

20.  Probably. 

21.  Reckless,  gambling  spirit. 

22.  Bible,  Irving's  Washington,  Plu- 
tarch's Lives,  Victor  Hugo's  Les  Mis- 
arables,  Whittier's  Poems,  Robinson 
Crusoe. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  I'm  inclined  to  say,  no. 

25.  Character,  built  upon  truth, 
duty,  self-discipline,  right  thoughts, 
and  courtesy. 


264 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Hon.  Jason  E.  Kichols 

Lansing,  Mich.  Probate  Judge  of 
Ingraham  Co.,  Mich.  President,  Board 
of  Education. 


I. 
2. 
3- 
4- 
5- 
6. 

7. 
8. 

9- 
10. 
II. 

12. 

14. 

15. 
16. 

18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 

23- 
24. 

25- 

Push 


Work. 

Yes,  by  all  means. 

Yes. 

No. 

Yes,  and  work. 

No. 

Yes. 

10,000  times,  yes. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Experience  and  work. 

Yes,  with  work. 

Yes. 

Yes,  if  he  can. 

Yes. 

Sure. 

Yes,  for  it  teaches  him  to  work. 

Trade. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Carelessness  and  laziness. 

J.  S.  Abbott's  Life  of  Napoleon. 

For  a  short  time. 

Yes. 

Select  the  calling  you  like  best. 

it  to  the  end.    Work,  work. 


20.  Not  often;  depends  on  the  man. 

21.  The  expense  account. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Decide  on  what  you  want  to  do, 
stick  to  it,  and  never  confess  there  is 
any  chance  for  failure. 


F.  E.  Burgess 


Burlington,  Vt.  President,  Board 
of  Education.  President,  Horatio 
Lumber  Co. 


2.  Usually. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Yes,  if  I  thought  he  was  excep- 
tionally bright,  but  otherwise  would 
not. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  In  a  majority  of  cases  either  is 
useless  without  the  other. 

12.  Sometimes. 

14.  Certainly. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Not  often. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 


Alexander  C.  Abbott,  M.D. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  Professor  of  hy- 
giene and  director,  Laboratory  of 
Hygiene,  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
Director  of  Laboratory,  Board  of 
Health.    Author  of  medical  works. 


I.  Obligation  to  work  out  my  own 
salvation,  and  opportunity  to  do  so  in 
association  with,  and  under  the  guid- 
ance of,  men  of  exceptional  ability. 

3.  That  varies  according  to  the  in- 
dividual. For  most  cases  I  would  say, 
yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  thinks  his  happiness  and 
success  depend  upon  it,  I  would. 

6.  I  would  not,  unless  his  aims  and 
ambitions  could  not  be  satisfied  in  the 
small  town. 

7.  No. 

8.  It  should  be,  but  I  regret  to  say 
that  I  do  not  think  it  is. 

9.  Yes,  but  not  uninterrupted  ap- 
plication. 

10.  Yes,  if  you  mean  the  fullest 
success;  no,  if  you  mean  only  moder- 
ate success. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes;  experience  comes  with  the 
exercise  of  ability. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  It  depends  on  circumstances,  but 
in  most  cases  I  think  it  justifiable. 

21.  Inability  and  unjustifiable  risk, 
due  to  a  desire  to  accumulate  riches 
rapidly. 

22.  Boys  from  13  to  17:  Kipling's 
Jungle  Books,  Kipling's  Captains 
Courageous,  Stevenson's  Treasure 
Island,  Kingsley's  Westward  Ho, 
Smiles'  Self-Help. 

23.  Not  habitually,  but  read  a  good 
one  occasionally,  if  he  can  find  one. 

24.  If  it  is  well-established,  and  he 
likes  it,  yes. 

25.  Learn  to  do  some  one  thing  bet- 
ter than  any  one  else,  and  do  it. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


265 


Rev.  Amory  H.  Bradford,  D.D. 

.  Montclair,  N.  J.  Pastor,  First  Con- 
gregational Church.  Associate  edi- 
tor, The  Outlook.  First  secretar)^  and 
second  president,  American  Institute 
of  Christian  Philosophy.  Lecturer, 
Andover  Theological  Seminary.  Au- 
thor. 


1.  Heredity.  The  ideals  and  envi- 
ronment of  my  home.  Perseverance 
in,  and  devotion  to,  one  line  of  effort. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  It  would  depend  on  the  boy.  If 
he  is  made  for  a  farmer,  no.  If  for  a 
banker  or  professional  man,  yes. 

6.  Not  until  he  has  outgrown  the 
smaller  town. 

7.  Not  if  he  has  a  permanent  objec- 
tion to  it. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

12.  Yes,  if  united  with  industry. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Depends  on  the  boy;  if  he  will 
make  good  use  of  his  education,  yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Sometimes,  not  always. 

18.  It  would  depend  on  the  possibil- 
ity of  waking  ambition  in  one  line  or 
another. 

21.  Extravagant  living. 

22.  The  Bible;  Homer;  Plutarch's 
Lives;  Life  of  David  Livingstone;  Life 
of  John  Howard;  Tennyson,  especially 
The  Idylls  of  the  King. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  pure,  be  honest,  seek  truth 
wherever  it  may  be  found.  Be  loyal 
to  truth  and  right  at  any  cost.  Be 
brotherly,  and  trust  God. 


Colonel  Jacob  L.  Greene 

Hartford,    Conn.      President,    Con- 
necticut Mutual  Life  Insurance  Co. 


2.  Yes, 

3.  No;  a  man  who  is  sympathetic 
with  all  true  human  interests  and  en- 
deavors may  succeed  in  a  variety  of 
callings. 

4.  No. 


5.  That  depends  entirel3r  on  the  boy. 
Mere  discontent,  with  limited  oppor- 
tunity, is  not  a  safe  guide. 

6.  Depends  on  his  capacity.  It  is 
a  good  rule  to  do  with  one^s  might 
what  lies  nearest  him.  If  he  is 
needed  elsewhere,  it  will  come  to  him, 
or  he  will  be  led  to  it. 

7.  Duty  to  others,  as  well  as  per- 
sonal inclinations  and  innate  capacity, 
are  large  factors  here.  Early  likes 
and  dislikes  are  apt  to  be  fanciful. 

8.  I  consider  nothing  a  true  success 
which  is  not  won  by  absolute  honesty. 
Dishonesty  may  score  a  point  for  the 
moment,  but  it  destroys  the  man. 

9.  Certainly. 

10.  No,  but  It  makes  it  easier.  Con- 
scientiousness in  work  is  more  than 
love  for  it. 

11.  Ability  is  the  foundation  of  the 
equipment;  experience  facilitates  its 
use. 

12.  That  is  hardly  a  fair  way  of 
putting  it;  every  man  learns  to  do 
his  work  by  doing  it.  Ability  is  a 
gift  without  which  nothing  is  possible ; 
experience  is  a  later  acquisition  from 
the  use  of  ability. 

13.  That  depends  on  his  breadth  of 
capacity. 

14.  Ordinarily  not. 

15.  Yes;  long  enough  to  give  him 
the  exactness  of  method,  the  studious, 
careful  habit,  the  intellectual  integ- 
rity, which  comes  from  such  training. 

16.  Yes;  a  man  needs  to  be  at  his 
all-around  best,  in  the  professions, 
to-day. 

17.  No;  it  will  ordinarily  do  him  no 
good. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes;  every  man  who  feels  it  in 
him  should  go  m  to  make  off  his  own 
bat. 

20.  Not  unless  he  is  mighty  sure  of 
himself  on  good  reason. 

21.  Lack  of  discipline  and  force  of 
character. 

23.  Yes;  enough  to  get  the  news 
that  is  really  informing  and  mentally 
stimulating.    Too  much  is  stupefying. 

24.  There  is  no  general  principle 
about  it ;  for  some  boys  it  is  well  and 
for  some  it  is  ill.  Many  conditions 
are  involved,  more  or  less  individual 
to  each  case. 

25.  Find  out  either  what  you  really 
want  to  do,  or  what  as  a  matter  of 
right  you  ought  to  do,  putting  duty 
first,  and  then  do  it  with  your  stead- 
fast might. 


266 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Max  TolU 


Benj.  I.  Wheeler,  LL.D.,  Ph.D. 


St.  Paul,   Minn.    Mechanical  Engi-       Berkeley,   Cal.     President,   Univer- 
neer,  Great  Northern  R.R.  sity  of  CaHfornia.    Author. 


1.  Common  sense  and  good  school- 
ing, also  ability  to  handle  men.  First 
rule  is  to  obey  order. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes.^ 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily,  but  love  means 
persistency. 

11.  Both. 

12.  Not  very  much. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Make  him  interested. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Over-confidence  and  high  living. 
23.  Yes. 

,  24.  No. 

25.  Keep  eyes  and  ears  open,  but 
mouth  shut.  Be  steady,  obey  orders, 
and  do  not  look  upon  compensation  at 
the  start. 


A.  Spencer,  Jr. 


Hartford,  Conn.    President, 
National  Bank. 


Aetna 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  Generally,  no. 

6.  No. 

7.  Many  of  them  would  have  been 
far  better  off. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

ID.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  if  possible. 

17.  No. 

18.  It  matters  little. 
20.  No. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  It  should  be  the  best   possible 
place  for  him. 


1.  Believing  that  most  people  are 
mostly  well-intentioned. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Or  have  the  habit  of  work. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  to  a  college  with  a  mechan- 
ical department. 

15.  Yes,  to  a  technical  department 
of  a  university. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

23.  Let  him  read  a  good  weekly,  like 
the  Outlook. 

25.  Do  not  plan  to  be  second-rate; 
you  can  be  practically  what  you  make 
up  your  minds  to  be.  Have  patience; 
work  hard;  keep  clean;  tell  the  truth. 


John  G.  Fletcher 

Little  Rock,   Ark.    President,  Ger- 
man National  Bank. 


1.  To  being  strictly  truthful  and 
reliable  in  the  transactions  of  all  busi- 
ness affairs,  and  sober  and  industrious 
in  fulfilling  all  engagements. 

2.  As  a  general  thing  I  would,  as 
he  would  apply  himself  more  closely 
to  it. 

3.  No;  many  men  who  are  com- 
pelled to  work  at  an  occupation  they 
dislike,  afterwards  take  hold  and 
make  a  great  success  out  of  it. 

4.  No;  I  think  it  best  to  consult  the 
desire  of  the  boy  and  advise  with  him, 
and  then  let  him  select  the  calling  he 
prefers  to  follow. 

5.  Yes,  provided  he  has  ambition 
and  capacity  to  hold  his  own  among 
other  men.  I  was  a  country  boy,  and 
left  it  because  it  afforded  but  little 
chance  to  rise. 

6.  I  would,  if  he  had  extra  qualifi- 
cations which  fitted  him  for  larger 
business  transactions  and  if  he  had 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


267 


ambitions  to  advance  higher  than  at 
home. 

7.  No;  let  him  try  his  hand  at  any 
occupation  that  seems  to  suit  him 
best. 

8.  Yes;  to  true  success  it  is  neces- 
sary to  be  strictly  honest  and  truth- 
ful. 

9.  Yes;  to  a  certain  extent  it  is 
necessary  to  apply  all  energies  to  one 
point. 

10.  Not  necessarily  so. 

11.  Both  are  essential  to  great  suc- 
cess, but  experience  contributes  most 
to  success,  in  my  opinion. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes;  a  college  education  would 
be  beneficial  to  any  business  man  in 
the  management  of  his  business. 

14.  Yes ;  it  only  makes  him  more  in- 
telligent and  fits  him  to  be  a  better 
mechanic,  a  master. 

15.  No. 

16.  Yes,  by  all  means,  as  it  makes 
him  stronger  and  more  confident  in 
himself. 

17.  No;  if  you  do,  the  chances  are 
even  that  he  goes  astray. 

18.  A  trade  or  a  business. 

19.  Yes;  by  all  means  let  him  go 
into  business  on  his  own  account,  as  I 
have  never  known  a  man  to  accom- 
plish much  who  worked  for  a  salary. 

20.  I  think  his  chances  of  success 
would  be  better  on  borrowed  capital 
than  on  a  fixed  salary. 

21.  To  negligence,  idleness,  careless- 
ness, dissipation,  gambling,  and  de- 
bauching generally. 

22.  History  of  the  United  States, 
civil  government,  history  of  Rome, 
Shakespeare,  biographical  sketches  of 
prominent  men,  history  of  trades. 

23.  Yes;  it  keeps  him  posted  about 
the  news  throughout  the  world. 

24.  No;  it  is  best  to  let  him  select 
an  occupation  that  suits  his  taste  best. 

25.  Boys,  keep  out  of  bad  company; 
be  truthful,  honest,  sober,  industrious, 
and  upright  in  all  your  dealings 
through  life. 

Remarks.  I  was  raised  in  a  sparsely 
settled  section  of  Arkansas,  where 
the  boys  had  but  few  advantages  of 
any  kind,  especially  in  the  way  of 
school;  they  had  to  work  in  the  field 
during  crop  time,  and  go  to  school 
after  the  harvesting  was  finished  and 
the  crop  was  laid  by.  This  embraced 
the  months  of  July,  August,  and  Sep- 
tember; then  they  had  to  return  to 
the  field  and  help  gather  the  crop; 


after  that  time,  they  would  enter 
another  three  months'  term  of  school, 
which  would  embrace  the  months  of 
December,  January,  and  February; 
so  you  see  the  country  boy  would 
work  six  months  on  the  farm  and  go 
to  school  six  months  in  a  log  cabin. 
This  only  applied  to  those  boys  whose 
parents  were  in  fair  circumstances, 
and  the  sons  of  poor  people  did  not 
get  that  much  schooling.  My  educa- 
tion was  obtained  in  this  way,  and  by 
travelling,  and  reading  books  and  the 
best  daily  papers.  Boys  should  make 
themselves  indispensable  to  their  em- 
ployers, and  then  they  will  be  sought 
after  by  the  business  world. 


Elbridge  G.  Keith 

Chicago,  111.  President,  Metropoli- 
tan National  Bank.  Late  President, 
Chicago  Clearing  House  and  Bankers' 
Club. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 
6.  No. 

8.  I  do. 

9.  I  do. 
10.  Yes. 

12.  Not  universally. 

17.  No.  ->^ 

18.  A  trade  or  business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No,  not  generally. 

21.  Want  of  ability  and  experience. 


Joseph  A.  DeBoer 

Montpelier,  Vt.  President,  National 
Life  Insurance  Co. 


1.  First,  to  hard,  continuous  work, 
due  in  part  to  personal  necessities, 
always  aiming  to  get  at  the  truth  of  a 
given  matter;  and,  next,  to  some  ac- 
quired capacity  for  giving  expression 
to  the  results  of  that  work  in  the 
affairs  of  men. 

2.  Yes,  unless  the  circumstances  of 
his  life  and  his  connections  afford  him 
an  unusual  opportunity  in  some  other. 

3.  No;  but  having  chosen  one,  a 
man  is  under  moral  obligation  to  be 
faithful  to  it. 

4.  No;    the  boy  has  rights  of  his 


268 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


own  from  the  moment  of  his  birth. 
His  preference  deserves  respect. 

7.  No,  if  the  dislike  is  decided  and 
filial  duty  does  not  require  his  remain- 
ing on  the  farm. 

8.  Yes;  dishonesty  does  not  breed 
a  true  and  lasting  success. 

9.  Yes,  as  a  working  rule  for  the 
average  man.  Genius  and  large  talent 
stand  apart  by  themselves. 

10.  Yes,  for  great  success,  as  a  rule, 
although  the  principle  of  obligation 
and  of  service  rather  than  that  of  love 
begets  much  good  work. 

11.  Ability  in  the  higher  callings 
and  professions,  but  experience  in  the 
trades  and  handicrafts.  Still  ability 
is  always  increased  and  fostered  by 
experience. 

12.  Yes;  the  successful  text-book 
writer  on  economics  is  an  example. 

13.  Yes;  I  would  advise  any  boy, 
who  can  go  to  college,  to  do  so  for  his 
own  sake,  without  regard  to  his  future 
work. 

14.  Yes,  but  by  preference  to  a  tech- 
nical institution. 

15.  Yes.    See  Nos.  13  and  14. 

16.  Yes,  without  qualification. 

17.  No;  I  do  not  believe  in  forcing 
any  man's  will  nor  any  boy's  either, 
unless  the  interests  of  the  State  re- 
quire it. 

18.  An  ordinary  boy,  without  a  pref- 
erence and  having  little  ambition,  had 
better  take  the  work  nearest  to  his 
hand.  His  connections  in  life  would 
decide  the  form. 

19.  Yes,  and  be  his  own  "boss,"  or  to 
express  it  less  cogently,  the  ' '  captain 
of  his  own  soul." 

20.  Yes,  if  a  good  opportunity  pre- 
sents itself. 

21.  Immoral  inattention. 

22.  The  Bible  (King  James'  version); 
The  American  Congress  (Jos.  W. 
Moore,  Harper's,  1895).  These  two 
will  contribute  to  his  moral  and  public 
education.  As  for  the  other  readings, 
they  will  depend  upon  the  boy. 

23.  Yes,  and  if  practicable,  three, 
edited  from  the  standpoints,  respect- 
ively, of  an  Independent,  a  Republi- 
can, and  a  Democrat. 

24.  Yes,  if  a  valuable  business  and 
to  his  preference. 

25.  In  a  few  years  you  will  be  men, 
owing  the  world  work.  You  should 
then  be  masters  of  some  trade,  busi- 
ness, or  profession,  through  which  to 
take  care  of  yourself  and  your  depend- 
ents.   Make  it  your  rule  of  action  in 


all  things  to  observe  the  Decalogue  of 
Moses,  and  in  your  citizenship  to  see 
to  it  that  no  harm  comes  to  the  Re- 
public by  your  act.  Remember  that 
the  end  of  life  should  be  happiness, 
that  the  highest  personal  happiness 
alone  comes  through  putting  up  some 
form  of  faithful  service  all  of  the  time, 
and,  as  Roosevelt  says  of  the  flag, 
*'  Keeping  it  put."  Further,  hug  tight 
the  doctrine  that  hard,  honest  work 
in  trade,  business,  or  profession  will 
command  respect  everywhere  and 
therefore  a  competency,  especially  in 
our  country  of  individual  rights,  and 
also,  for  that  reason,  of  individual  re- 
sponsibilities. Save  part  of  your  in- 
come. Avoid  snobbery,  and  cultivate 
manliness  and  truth  in  all  your  acts 
and  work. 


Rev.  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  D.D. 

New  York  City.  Professor  of  New 
Testament  Exegesis  and  Criticism, 
Union  Theological  Seminary.  Author. 


1.  To  God's  blessing;  a  temperate 
and  regular  life;  hard  work;  always 
trying  to  do  my  best  under  all  circum- 
stances; intercourse  with  the  best 
minds  and  with  people  who  knew  more 
than  I  did. 

2.  Yes,  if  there  is  nothing  to  pre- 
vent his  doing  so,  only  a  distinction 
should  be  made  between  a  boy's  pref- 
erences and  his  fancies. 

3.  No;  there  are  many  instances  of 
distinguished  success  in  the  absence 
of  a  "pronounced  preference."  In 
some  of  these  it  was  impossible  to 
follow  the  preference. 

4.  No. 

6.  Yes,  if  the  boy  is  equal  to  great 
opportunities. 

7.  It  depends  on  whether  he  is  fit 
for  anything  else. 

8.  I  do  not  consider  anything  "  suc- 
cess "  which  is  not  won  honestly. 

9.  Unquestionably. 

10.  It  is  not  absolutely  necessary; 
but,  other  things  being  equal,  the  one 
who  loves  his  work  will  succeed  best. 

11.  As  a  rule  they  cannot  be  sepa- 
rated. .^ 

12.  Not  the  highest.  /fl 

13.  Yes.  ^ 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes,  after  the  general  training 
of  the  college. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


269 


16.  Unquestionably. 

17.  Sometimes;  the  tendencjr  is  too 
strong  to  let  boys  have  their  will; 
some  cubs  must  be  thrashed  into  dis- 
cipline. 

18.  It  will  not  make  much  difference, 
such  a  boy  will  do  as  well  in  one  as  in 
the  other. 

19.  Certainly. 

20.  It  depends  on  the  amount  of  his 
experience  and  ability. 

21.  Cannot  answer;  causes  are  vari- 
ous and  numerous.  Want  of  ability, 
bad  habits,  laziness,  aiming  for  ad- 
miration rather  than  for  solid  mastery, 
want  of  concentration,  etc. 

23.  Yes,  a  good  one. 
.  25.  Fear  God  and  keep  his  command- 
ments; keep  a  clean  mind;  drive  out 
dirty  thoughts  as  you  would  a  thief  or 
assassin;  honor  your  body  and  train 
it  well;  cultivate  the  society  of  the 
best  people  and  the  best  books;  be 
afraid  of  superficial  work  or  learning; 
despise  the  praise  of  inferior  minds, 
and  be  satisfied  with  nothing  less  than 
the  approval  of  the  best;  cultivate  the 
simplest  and  the  best  manners.  No 
success  and  no  intellectual  superiority 
exempt  you  from  the  duty  of  being  a 
perfect  gentleman.  Be  genuinely  kind 
to  all,  but  never  compromise  your 
principles  for  fear  of  seeming  unkind. 
No  success  is  won  without  hard  work. 
Work  with  all  your  might  for  any 
good  object.  Never  fail  to  ask  God's 
blessing  on  your  work.  Remember 
that  the  most  brilliant  success  in  a  bad 
thing  is  a  failure.  If  you  are  fit  for 
a  lower  place,  and  are  not  fit  for  a 
higher  place,  don't  spoil  your  success 
in  the  lower  place  by  trying  to  climb 
into  the  higher. 


Hon.  Hosea  M.  Knowlton 

Boston,  Mass.    Late  Attorney-Gen- 
eral, State  of  Massachusetts.  Lawyer. 


1.  If  I  have  achieved  any  success, 
I  owe  it  to  work.  Work  involves 
necessary  temperance  and  care  of 
health,  physical  and  mental. 

2.  Of  course. 

3.  To  some  extent,  but  not  so  much 
so  as  is  sometimes  thought. 

4.  Never. 

5.  Yes,  unless  he  is  contented  where 
he  is. 

6.  Not  necessarily. 


7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Yes. 

la  In  the  broader  sense  of  the  term, 
yes. 

13.  If  he  can. 

14.  Yes,  but  to  select  his  course  with 
reference  to  his  future  work. 

15.  A  technical  school  is  better. 

16.  It  is  almost  necessary  to  high 
success. 

17.  Depends  upon  whether   "will" 
means  inertia,  laziness,  or  indolence. 

21.  Laziness  and  bad  habits. 

22.  Read  all  he  can. 

23.  Part  of  it. 

25.  Work  and  behave.     Keep  your 
health  and  aim  high. 


Charles  Piatt 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  President,  Insur- 
ance Company  of  North  America. 
President,  Zoological  Society  of  Phila- 
delphia. President,  National  Board 
of  Marine  Underwriters. 


1.  Industry.  Readiness  to  do  any 
work,  even  if  not  in  contract.  Un- 
failing courtesy.  Preference  of  duty 
to  athletics  or  amusement. 

2.  Not  always,  unless  boy  be  of 
decided  ability. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  a  good  opening. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely,  yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes,  if  time  allows. 

16.  Yes ;  depends  on  the  college. 

17.  No. 

18.  Probably  trade ;  ambition  neces- 
sary. 

19.  No,  unless  by  good  advice. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  ambition  and  industry. 
Haste  to  grow  rich. 

22.  Hard  to  say.  General  cultiva- 
tion. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Honesty,  industry,  courtesy. 
Determination  to  succeed.  *'Deal 
justly,  love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly 
with  thy  God."  Recognize  limitations. 


1*JO 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


N.C.Schaeffer,A.M.,Ph.D.,D.D. 

Lancaster,  Pa.  State  Superintend- 
ent of  Public  Instruction.  President, 
Medical  Council  of  Pennsylvania.  Ex- 
principal,  Keystone  State  Normal 
School.     Author. 


2.  Yes. 
3-  No. 
4.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 

12.  Yes;  experience  comes  with  time. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  has  time,  brains,  and 
means. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Never  a  profession. 

19.  Yes. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  true. 


Hon.  De  Forest  Richards 

Cheyenne,  Wyo.  Governor  of  Wy- 
oming. President,  First  National 
Bank  of  Douglas. 


1.  Industry,  the  adoption  of  correct 
systems  of  doing  business,  and  in- 
domitable perseverance. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No,  very  unwise. 

5.  Depends  upon  his  personal  char- 
acteristics. 

6.  Not  always. 

7.  No.  -^ 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Very. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes;  make  experience. 

13.  Not  take  a  classical,  but  one  to 
fit  him  for  business. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  If  he  has  no  ambition  he  will  be 
a  plodder. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Failure  to  adopt  proper  system, 
and  discouragement  following. 


23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Always  be  honest  in  your  trans- 
actions, prompt  in  your  action,  and 
never  put  off  'till  to-morrow  what  is 
possible  to  do  to-day.  This  will  give 
you  a  good  name  and  a  good  credit. 


General  Curtis  Guild,  Jr. 

Boston,  Mass.      Editor,  Commercial 
Bulletin.    Orator. 


1.  Unrelenting  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  No,  unless  he  has  some  definite 
bent  towards  a  profession.  The  ped- 
ler's  cart  and  the  chicken  coop  are 
good  starting  points. 

6.  Emphatically  not;  help  it  pro- 
gress. 

7.  No. 

8.  It  is  a  melancholy  fact  that  it 
isn't.  Please  note  that  you  say 
"business"  success  only. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Rarely. 

13.  Yes,  unless  he  wishes  to  be  a 
mere  human  cogwheel. 

14.  Yes,  or,  at  least,  to  take  up  other 
than  purely  technical  reading. 

15.  By  all  means. 

16.  Of  course. 

17.  Never;  it  isn't  absolutely  neces- 
sary, except  for  professional  life. 

18.  Neither;  let  him  enlist  as  a  soldier 
or  sailor.  He  can,  at  least,  help  his 
country,  if  he  hasn't  sufficient  energy 
to  help  himself. 

19.  Yes,  but  "sufficient"  means 
much  nowadays. 

20.  I  should  not;  my  father  did, 
however. 

21.  I  know  of  no  single  great  cause. 

22.  The  New  Testament,  Shake- 
speare, Dickens,  any  good  history  of 
the  United  States,  Plutarch's  Lives, 
T.  B.  Aldrich's  Story  of  a  Bad  Boy. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  unless  he  has  a  decided 
preference  for  other  work. 

25.  Read  clean  books;  wear  clean 
clothes ;  exercise  heartily  in  the  open 
air  daily;  decide  slowly;  do  swiftly; 
work  with  a  will,  or  not  at  all;  half 
done  is  undone. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


271 


Charles  H.  Jones 

Boston,  Mass.    President,  Common- 
wealth Shoe  Co. 


1.  Good  health  and  hard  work. 

2.  Yes,  if  there  seemed  a  reason- 
able opening  or  chance  of  success. 

3.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  no  obligation  to 
keep  him  at  home. 

7.  No. 

8.  No. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Ability;  experience  can  be  ac- 
quired. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Not  unless  he  has  a  place  in 
business  made  for  him  by  father  or 
otherwise. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Whichever  would  be  most  in 
keeping  with  his  surroundings;  a 
trade  hy  all  means,  if  his  family  are 
mechanics. 

21.  Lack  of  business  sense. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Work  won't  hurt  you.  Do  your 
best  every  day. 


12.  Yes. 

13.  A  college  course  is  an  excellent 
mental  training  for  any  career. 

14.  A  scientific  course  in  college  is  a 
great  help,  the  course  of  mechanical 
engineering,  for  instance. 

15.  Yes,  if  possible. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Such  a  boy  would  need  to  be 
guided  by  some  one  competent  to 
judge  in  his  particular  case. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Much  would  depend  on  the.  boy; 
in  some  cases  it  would  be  advisable, 
but  not  for  all. 

21.  Lack  of  energy  and  persistence. 
Mental  inertia. 

23.  Yes,  but  too  much  newspaper 
reading  is  very  bad,  almost  worse 
than  none  at  all. 

24.  Not  necessarily;  The  boy  may 
not  be  at  all  adapted  to  the  pursuits 
of  the  father. 

25.  The  choice  of  a  pursuit  in  life  is 
of  less  consequence  than  the  qualities 
you  bring  to  it.  Whatever  career  you 
choose,  be  honest,  steadfast,  and  in- 
dustrious, and  you  will  achieve  suc- 
cess and  happiness. 


William  T.  Baker 

Chicago,  111.    Capitalist.    Financier. 


John  C.  F.  Randolph,  E.M.,  A.M. 

New  York  City.  Consulting  Mining 
Engineer.  Formerly  in  the  service 
of  the  Japanese,  Chinese,  and  United 
States  Governments.  Author  of 
technical  works. 


2.  Generally,  yes,  but  under  proper 
guidance.  Boys'  preferences  are  often 
fickle  and  may  frequently  be  directed 
to  their  advantage. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Too  many  boys  seek  city  em- 
ployment, and  I  would  not  advise- 
them  to  go  to  the  city  unless  peculiarly 
adapted  for  it. 

6.  No. 

7.  Few  boys  seem  to  like  farming, 
but  I  believe  it  will  be  the  best  career 
for  the  majority. 

8.  Certainly. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Both,  but  one  may  have  ability 
without  experience.  It  requires  time 
to  acquire  experience. 


1.  A  sound  education. 

2.  By  all  means. 

3.  It  is  an  advantage  to  have 
a  preference,  but  not  absolutely 
necessary. 

4.  No. 

5.  He  should  stay  at  home,  at  least, 
until  he  gets  a  good  common  school 
education. 

6.  He  had  better  stay  and  seek 
opportunity  in  his  small  town  until 
25,  at  least. 

7.  While  his  character  is  forming, 
and  until  he  gets  a  good  common 
school  education. 

8.  Absolutely,  for  continued  busi- 
ness success. 

9.  Yes. 

11.  Ability  is  the  foundation;  ex- 
perience builds  the  superstructure. 

12.  Experience    comes   with    atten- 


272 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


tion   to  detail;    success   comes  with 
experience. 

13.  Very  seldom.  It  depends  on  the 
boy. 

14.  He  should  go  to  a  trade  school. 

15.  Very  seldom,  but  it  depends  on 
the  boy. 

16.  Decidedly. 

17.  Few  boys  take  education  will- 
ingly, and  with  those  opposed  to  it, 
the  school  education  should  cease 
at  16. 

18.  Any  trade  or  anjr  business, 
early,  in  a  minor  capacity;  not  a 
profession. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Not  selecting  congenial  busi- 
ness; never  learning  their  work  in 
life  thoroughly.  The  failures  are 
about  90  per  cent. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Far  the  best  thing  any  boy  can 
do. 

25.  Aim  to  master  each  thing  as  it 
comes  forward.  Be  diligent,  even  to 
doing  a  little  more  than  is  expected 
of  you.    Be  honest  and  thorough. 


George  A.  Macbeth 

Manufacturer    of 


1 


Pittsburg,     Pa. 
lamp  chimneys. 


Rev.  John  L.  Campbell,  D.D. 

New  York  City.    Pastor,  Lexington 
Avenue  Baptist  Church.    Author. 


T.  Observation  and  persistent  ap- 
plication, coupled  with  natural  me- 
chanical faculty  and  some  knowledge 
of  chemistry. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  really  wants  to,  yes. 

6.  Same  as  above. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely;  money  may  be  ac- 
cumulated otherwise  and  get  through. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability,  to  benefit  by  experience; 
both  go  together. 

12.  Can't  imagine  it. 

13.  Not  necessarily. 

14.  Not  necessarily. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Inability  to  comprehend  circum- 
stances. 

23.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  courageous,  diligent. 
Do  more  than  you  are  asked. 


but  the  calling  must  be     Hon.  Henry  William  Blair 


1.  Under  God,  application. 

2.  Yes,  always,   if  it  is  a  worthy 
calling. 

3.  Yes 

4.  No, 
worthy. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  There  cannot  be  success  without 
experience. 

15.  Desirable,  but  not  absolutely 
needed. 

17.  No. 

18.  Throw  him  on  his  own  resources. 

19.  Generally,  yes. 

20.  Generally,  no. 

21.  Lack  of  concentration. 

22.  Bible,  Pilgrim's  Progress. 

23.  If  he  does  not  waste  too  much 
time  on  it,  yes. 

25.  Have  a  high  ideal.  Follow  your 
aptitudes,  if  they  are  worthy.  Keep 
pure.  Keep  cheerful,  and  work  for 
all  that  you  are  worth. 


Manchester,  N.  H.  Ex-United  States 
Senator.  Framer  of  school  and  tem- 
perance constitutional  amendments 
and  bills  establishing  United  States 
Department  of  Labor.    Lawyer. 


1.  I  haven't  succeeded  very  well. 
About  all  I  have  done  has  been  to 
succeed  in  helping  others  to  success. 

2.  Yes,  but  it  should  be  a  prefer- 
ence felt  at  or  about  the  time  when 
it  is  necessary  to  finally  decide  the 
selection. 

3.  Yes,  for  not  even  a  strong  sense 
of  duty  will  wholly  supply  the  place 
of  enthusiasm. 

4.  No;  parents  often  become  the 
worst  enemies  of  their  own  children 
by  so  doing. 

5.  Yes,  unless  confined  by  family 
or  other  strong  obligations. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


273 


6.  Not  as  a  rule.  Some  boys  belong 
in  a  big  place  because  they  possess 
the  elements  of  bigness  in  themselves. 

7.  No,  but  farming  should  and 
might  become  the  most  enticing  and 
happiest  of  all  occupations.  Every 
farm  should  be  an  industrial  school  or 
a  seat  of  learning. 

8.  No;  multitudes  of  knaves  suc- 
ceed in  business,  but  they  go  to  hell 
for  it  and  sometimes  to  jail. 

9.  Certainly  as  a  rule;  much,  how- 
ever, depends  upon  chance  or  fortune. 

10.  Not  necessarily,  but  he  must  do 
it  whether  he  likes  it  or  not. 

11.  Ability;  how  much  could  an  ex- 
perienced fool  accomplish. 

12.  Yes;  very  often,  and  especially 
when  aided  by  circumstances. 

13.  Well,  yes,  if  he  has  the  time  and 
will  improve  it,  but  not  play  base-ball 
to  excess.  He  must  not  depend  too 
much  upon  his  diploma,  however. 

14.  Same  answer  as  No.  13.  It  does 
not  disgrace  a  collegian  to  dig  in  the 
dirt  after  an  honest  dollar.  The  more 
his  pick  and  shovel  know  the  more 
dollars  he  may  find  there. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  can;  but  he  must  not 
think  that  it  will  of  itself  make  him  a 
mechanic. 

16.  Yes,  if  he  can  do  it.  He  will 
then  know  himself  before  he  starts  in, 
from  measurement  with  his  future 
competitors,  and  them  also;  and  he 
should  get  discipline,  knowledge,  and 
enlargement  as  early  in  life  as  possi- 
ble. 

17.  No,  but  I  would  coax  him  a  great 
deal  before  I  gave  it  up,  and  perhaps 
get  others  to,  and  might  tenderly 
drub  him  a  little  if  I  had  to  and 
thought  it  would  do  any  good. 

18.  No;  get  him  a  Bible  and  a  hymn- 
book,  a  shovel  and  a  hoe,  and  tell  him 
always  to  vote  the  Republican  ticket, 
that  is,  to  be  steady,  do  the  best  he 
can,  and  go  to  Heaven. 

19.  Yes  ;  tell  him  to  be  careful  and 
honest,  to  select  well  his  opportunity 
and  location,  and  the  trusts  can't  beat 
him.  He  may  become  one  himself 
some  time. 

20.  No,  not  often,  if  he  means  to 
pay  it  back;  but  there  are  times  when 
It  is  prudent  and  right  to  borrow  and 
wrong  not  to. 

21.  Laziness. 

22.  The  Bible;  Shakespeare,  I  sup- 
pose; Plutarch's  Lives;  history,  espe- 
cially of  the  United  States;  and  about 
sixty  others.    Get   him    a   first-class 


magazine  and  a  good  daily  newspaper. 

23.  Yes,  but  to  let  the  trash  alone. 
It  will  kill  him. 

24.  Not  if  the  old  man  has  made  it 
disagreeable  to  him,  but  he  should  be 
careful  to  honor  his  father  and  mother 
and  not  be  prejudiced  against  the  oc- 
cupation that  brought  him  up. 

25.  Be  sure  you  are  right  and  go 
ahead.  Stand  up  for  your  country 
and  never  lie  down  unless  it  be  to  die 
for  her.  Try  to  get  big  enough  to 
realize  that  the  world  is  your  country. 


Hon.  Albert  B.   White 

Parkersburg,  W.  Va.    Governor  of 
West  Virginia. 


1.  Hard  work  and  keeping  at  it. 

2.  As  a  rule,  yes;  but  there  are 
exceptions.  The  preference  should  be 
an  intelligent  one. 

3.  Not  absolutely  necessary. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  necessarily  to  a  * '  great  city." 
A  small  city  or  thriving  town  fre- 
quently affords  great  opportunities. 

6.  Answer  above;  it  sometimes  is  a 
good  thing  to  go  to  a  new  community 
and  new  environment. 

7.  We  sometimes  learn  in  later 
years  to  like  our  duty. 

8.  I  do,  if  by  success  you  mean 
something  beside  ill-gotten  gains. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  If  he  is  successful  or  ambitious 
to  succeed,  he  will  learn  to  love  his 
work. 

11.  Ability  is  inherent;  experience 
is  acquired;  both  are  necessary  for 
conspicuous  success. 

12.  Not  in  business  life;  it  might  in 
storming  a  fort  or  rescuing  a  drowning 
person. 

13.  If  he  can  afford  it. 

14.  Yes,  or  rather  an  institute  for 
mechanical  training. 

15.  (Same  as  above). 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Sometimes  it  is  well  to  seek  to 
overcome  a  dislike  or  foolish  repug- 
nance to  higher  education. 

18.  Depends  on  the  boy.  Sometimes 
they  make  preachers  or  editors  or 
politicians  out  of  them. 

19.  "Sufficient  capital,"  **  ability," 
and  ' '  experience  "  are  equal  to  almost 
anything. 


274 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


20.  Yes,  sometimes.  That's  the  way 
I  branched  out  for  myself. 

21.  Lack  of  judgment. 

22.  (Not  including  history.)  Wild 
Animals  I  Have  Known,  Brook's 
Story  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  David 
Copperfield,  Tom  Brown  at  Rugby 
and  Oxford,  Aldrich's  Story  of  a  Bad 
Boy,  Dana's  Two  Years  Before  the 
Mast. 

23.  Yes;  accent  on  the  good. 

24.  Why  not  ? 

25.  Be  honest;  be  energetic;  be  faith- 
ful to  your  trust;  keep  your  word; 
be  manly;  don't  be  afraid  of  work. 


Rev.  Samuel  P.  Cadman,  D.D. 

Brooklyn,    N.    Y.    Pastor,    Central 
Congregational  Church. 


1.  To  the  fact  that  I  was  born  and 
grew  up  under  the  law  of  necessity ; 
poverty  was  the  spur  of  my  earliest 
efforts. 

3.  It  is  in  the  majority  of  cases,  al- 
though instances  are  not  lacking  of 
men  who  did  well  in  callings  for  which 
they  had  scant  liking. 

4.  I  certainly  do  not. 

5.  This  seems  to  be  the  modern 
tendency,  and  on  the  whole  advisable. 

6.  Chances  are  equal  that  he  will 
do  better  by  remaining  at  home. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely  so. 

9.  Certainly. 

10.  He  can  find  more  joy  therein, 
but  duty  is  often  done  when  the  heart 
rebels. 

11.  Ability;  experience  is  often  a 
record  of  failures  or  feeble  successes 
and  makes  some  men  unduly  conser- 
vative. 

12.  Providing  ability  includes  good 
judgment,  I  do. 

13.  I  would,  following  those  studies 
which  benefit  business. 

14.  I  would,  suiting  his  studies  to 
his  calling. 

15.  I  would. 

16.  Certainly. 

17.  Sometimes  it  is;  boys  do  not 
have  a  monopoly  of  foresight. 

18.  A  small  business  suits  such 
boys  best. 

19.  I  would,  providing  the  larger 
affairs  do  not  crowd  out  small  compet- 
itors. 


20.  That's  a  more  risky  proposition, 
and  much  depends  on  the  personal 
equation. 

21.  Carelessness,  arising  from  indif- 
ference and  lassitude. 

22.  Robinson  Crusoe  by  Defoe,  Pil- 
grim's Progress  by  Bunyan,  West- 
ward Ho  by  Charles  Kingsley,  Tom 
Brown  at  Rugby  by  T.  Hughes,  The 
Jungle  Book  by  Kipling,  and  always 
the  Holy  Bible. 

23.  I  would. 

24.  Only  in  selected  cases. 

25.  Be  true  to  yourself;  be  true  to 
your  fellows;  be  true  to  your  God. 

Remarks.  Grow  on  your  own  root ; 
do  not  be  an  echo,  but  a  voice,  and 
however  strong  your  surroundings,  do 
not  imitate,  but  assimilate  them. 
Thus  your  investment  in  life  is  your 
own  and  not  another's.  Seek  to  know 
yourself  in  temperament  that  you 
may  fortify  the  feeble  spots  in  the 
"make  "  of  j'^our  mind.  Men  carefully 
study  their  bodies  who  never  spend 
an  hour  considering  their  dispositions. 
In  this  lies  the  secret  of  self-control ; 
the  chain  is  no  stronger  than  the 
weakest  link,  therein;  watch  the 
places  where  hasty  prejudice  and  pas- 
sion enter  to  usurp  the  right  and  the 
reasonable.  Daily  conquer  a  new 
province,  either  in  yourself  or  your 
environment.  Wake  up  every  morn 
a  bigger  man  than  you  went  to  bed 
the  night  before.  Some  men  reverse 
this  process,  and  when  they  die,  there 
are  no  complaints.  Do  not  reckon 
success  on  a  purely  commercial  basis ; 
character  is  the  one  token  of  life. 


Gano  S.  Dunn,  M.S.,  E.E. 

Ampere,  N.  J.  Chief  engineer  and 
technical  director,  Crocker-Wheeler 
Co.  President,  New  York  Electrical 
Society.  Vice-president,  American 
Institute  of  Electrical  Engineers. 


1.  Outside  of  intellectual  endow- 
ment, to  earnest  attention  to  business 
and  worthiness  of  the  confidence  of 
others. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  It  depends  upon  how  much  abil- 
ity he  possessed. 

6.  No. 

7.  If  apparently  capable  and  willing 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


275 


to  work  at  another  calling,  would  not 
keep  him  at  farming. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability;  because  without  it,  ex- 
perience cannot  be  effective. 

12.  Yes;  for  it  soon  acquires  experi- 
ence. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  If  possible. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  I  consider  it  wise  to  exercise  a 
good  deal  of  pressure. 

18.  Trade  or  business. 

19.  As  a  rule,  no. 

20.  No. 

21.  Attempting  more  than  ability  to 
carry  out  warrants. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  After  first  having  an  experience 
elsewhere,  yes. 

25.  In  the  long  run,  it  is  character 
that  makes  the  kind  of  success  that  is 
most  worth  having. 


Milo  D.  Burke 

Cincinnati,    Ohio.    Civil    Engineer. 
Railroad  builder.    Author. 


1.  Persistent,  systematic  applica- 
tion. 

2.  Generally,  jres,  when  the  boy's 
judgment  is  sufficiently  matured  to  be 
of  value. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Depends  upon  the  calling  chosen 
by  the  boy;  generally,  no. 

6.  No. 

7.  Ordinarily,  yes. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Business  ability    cannot   be  at- 
tained without  experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  it. 

15.  Very  few  technical  schools  are 
worthy  of  patronage. 

16.  Yes. 
17   No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Under  favorable  conditions,  yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of   attention    to    essential 
details. 


23.  Only  the  news  items  pertaining 
to  his  occupation,  and  general  news 
sparingly,  but  not  the  gossip. 

24.  Where  tastes  are  congenial  and 
conditions  favorable,  yes. 

25.  Be  manly,  honest,  and  diligent, 
as  well  as  courteous  and  firm. 


Chicago 
grocer. 


Charles  H.  Slack 

111.    Wholesale  and  retail 


1.  Good  health,  honest  energy  in 
the  discharge  of  duty,  retiring  early, 
economy  in  personal  expenses,  and  a 
careful  reading  of  the  best  books  bear- 
ing on  my  occupation. 

2.  Yes,  if  his  health  permitted. 

3.  Where  the  competition  is  sharp, 
I  would  say,  yes. 

4.  If  the  boy  is  in  good  health  and 
his  selection  is  reputable,  no. 

5.  If  he  is  naturally  bright,  yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  sir;  everyday  of  the  year. 

9.  To  attain  the  full  measure  of 
success  in  any  case,  yes. 

ID.  Where  competition  is  strong, 
yes. 

11.  Experience  begets  ability. 

12.  If  applied  with  energy  where 
competition  is  not  excessive,  yes. 

13.  No;  instead,  a  technical  institu- 
tion. 

14.  If  he  desired  to,  yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade,  first. 

19.  Yes,  if  location  and  conditions 
were  promising. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  can  select  a  location 
where  conditions  are  favorable  and 
competition  not  too  sharp. 

21.  Lack  of  ready  cash  or  want  of 
ability  to  preserve  a  margin  over  ex- 
penses where  competition  is  sharp. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare's  Works, 
Homer's  Iliad  (a  good  translation), 
Plato's  Dialogues,  Webster's  Select 
Speeches,  Darwin's  Descent  of  Man. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  the  business  is  reputable  and 
in  keeping  with  his  taste,  yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  and  always  respect 
your  father  and  mother;  be  courteous 
to  every  one  you  meet,  and  perfect  your 
education  as  to  your  strongest  bent. 


276 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Rt.  Rev.  C.  B.  Brewster,  D.D. 

Hartford,   Conn.     Bishop   of   Con- 
necticut.   Author. 


1.  What  little  I  have  been  able  to 
accomplish  has  been  by  the  simple 
method  of  keeping  at  it. 

2.  By  all  means. 

3.  Yes,  except  in  exceptional  cases 
of  genius. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes,  indeed. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  looks  beyond  business 
to  the  life  he  wants  to  live. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  I  should  want  to  do  so  myself. 

21.  To  habits  of  sloth  and  self- 
indulgence. 

23.  Yes,  for  not  more  than  half  an 
hour  daily. 

25.  Be,  each  one  of  you,  a  worker, 
not  a  drone.  Remember  that  more 
important  than  doing  things  is  to  be 
all  that  it  doth  become  a  man  to  be. 
Be  strong  and  show  yourself  a  man. 


will  develop  ambition;  without  it  he 
is  of  little  value. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  is  the  right  kind  of  a 
man;  let  him  do  whatever  will  make 
the  most  of  himself. 

21.  Poor  judgment. 

22.  Lives  of  great  men,  particularly 
those  in  the  same  line  of  work  as  the 
boy  will  take  up;  Abbott's  Histories. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest;  put  your  whole  self 
into  your  work,  and  hustle. 


George  A.  Kimball 

Somerville,  Mass.  President,  Bos- 
ton Society  of  Civil  Engineers. 
Member,  Metropolitan  Sewerage 
Commission. 


I. 
2. 
3- 
4. 
5- 
6. 

7- 
8. 

9- 
10. 
Ji. 
12. 

13- 
14. 

IS- 
16. 

17- 

la 


Perseverance. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

No ;  let  the  boy  follow  his  bent. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Ability. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Yes,  and  college  too. 

Yes. 

Yes,  for  a  time. 

I  don't  know;  put  him  where  he 


Hon.  Howard  G.  Fuller 

Pierre,  So.  Dak.    Chief  Justice,  Su- 
preme Court  of  South  Dakota. 


1.  I  have  never  been  quite  able  to 
account  for  what  little  success  I  have 
had.  Some  of  my  friends  say,  energy 
and  a  judicial  instinct. 

2.  Yes,  as  a  general  thing. 

4.  Never  force  a  hoy  into  anjrthing. 
Love  him  much  and  give  him  his  own 
way. 

7.  No. 

10.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Sometimes. 
23.  Yes. 


Oscar  P.  Austin 

Washington,  D.  C.  Chief,  Bureau 
of  Statistics,  United  States  Treasury 
Department.    Author. 


1.  Selection  of  a  life-work  which 
constantly  interests  me,  and  persistent 
attention  to  that  work;  long  hours, 
hard  work,  and  a  thorough  mastery 
of  every  subject  taken  up. 

2.  By  all  means. 

3.  Not  necessarily;  an  occupation, 
once  adopted,  is  likely  to  prove  inter- 
esting, if  followed  intelligently  and 
earnestly. 

4.  I  consider  such  a  course  unwise. 

5.  If  well-educated  and  with  well- 
established  good  habits  and  a  decided 
preference  fpr  business,  yes;  other- 
wise, no. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


277 


6.  Not  unless  some  definite  and 
very  promising  opportunity  is  offered, 
where  he  will  have  advice  and  guidance 
of  real  friends. 

7.  Until  he  has  well  developed  phy- 
sically and  determined  what  he  does 
like. 

8.  Unquestionably. 

9.  Unquestionably. 

10.  That  relation  of  mind  to  occupa- 
tion doubtless  increases  the  proba- 
bility of  success. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  A  school  of  technology. 

15.  Yes. 

x6.  By  all  means. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Not  unless  the  opportunity  seems 
to  be  exceptionally  good. 

21.  Credit. 

23.  Certainly. 

24.  Yes,  because  he  gets  the  benefit 
of  an  accumulated  fund  of  experience, 
as  well  as  an  established  busmess. 

25.  Be  honest  with  yourself,  with 
your  friends,  with  your  family,  with 
your  .God.  Persistent  plodding  brin§:s 
a  hundred  successes  where  mere  bril- 
liancy brings  one.  If  you  are  brilliant, 
hard  work  will  increase  your  success ; 
if  you  are  not  brilliant,  hard  work  will 
increase  your  chances  of  becoming  so. 


George  W.  Dickie 

San  Francisco,  Cal.  Manager, 
Union  Iron  Works.  Past-president, 
Technical  Society  of  Pacific  Coast. 
Trustee,  California  Academy  of 
Sciences.  Writer  on  technical  sub- 
jects. 


I.  I  do  not  consider  that  I  have 
reached  such  a  position  in  my  profes- 
sion as  engineer  as  would  justify  my 
name  being  placed  among  those  who 
have  reached  success.  What  I  have 
been  able  to  accomplish,  that  my 
friends  are  pleased  to  consider  as  suc- 
cessful, has  been  the  result  of  hard 
work,  made  possible  by  good  health 
and  a  little  trick  of  being  able  to  make 
others  forget  about  the  blunders  I 
have  committed,  but  never  for  a 
moment  forgetting  about  them  my- 
self, 


2.  Yes,  if  the  preference  is  decided. 

3.  Yes,  if  accompanied  with  a 
willingness  to  do  the  hard  work 
necessary  to  success. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  is  bent  on  doing  something 
that  he  could  only  do  in  a  great  city, 
and  I  thought  him  of  the  right  stuff, 
yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience,which  comes  through 
ability  applied. 

12.  Not  of  a  lasting  character. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  the  time. 

14.  Yes,  but  think  it  best  to  learn 
the  trade  first. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Such  a  boy  must  just  enter  into 
any  thing  that  he  can  find  with  an 
open  door;  if  he  lives  long  enough  he 
will  likely  be  in  all  of  them. 

19.  Yes,  if  the  opportunity  presents 
itself. 

20.  No. 

21.  Dislike  of  hard  work. 

22.  The  Bible,  and  when  he  knows 
that  well,  the  other  five  will  suggest 
themselves. 

23.  Not  unless  he  has  time  to  do  so. 

24.  I  have  five  boys.  They  have  all 
gone  into  various  branches  of  my 
business,  and  under  me.  I  sometimes 
think  it  would  have  been  better  for 
them  to  have  chosen  something  else. 

25.  If  I  had  courage  to  say  anything 
to  such  an  august  session,  I  would 
advise  young  men  trying  to  find  an 
honorable  place  amongst  the  great 
workers  of  to-day:  Make  up  your 
mind  what  place  you  would  like,  and 
don't  be  afraid  to  make  it  high  enough. 
Then  go  to  work,  no  matter  how  dis- 
tant that  work  may  be  from  the  place 
you  aspire  to;  if  it  points  in  that 
direction,  stick  to  it.  Don't  waste 
time  consulting  with  friends  about 
your  prospects  and  seeking  introduc- 
tions to  people  who  will  help  you  up  to 
the  place  you  desire  to  reach,  but 
make  a  close  friend  of  your  work; 
your  best  advice  and  surest  advance- 
ment will  come  from  it.  Study  the 
result  of  your  work,  while  others  are 
seeking  influence.  Let  no  tendency 
in  your  line  of  work  escape  you.  Feed 
your  experience  by  close  observation, 


278 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


and  some  day  some  one  will  want 
something  done  for  which  your  ex- 
perience is  absolutely  indispensable. 
You  will  need  no  one  to  introduce 
you  to  that  man;  he  will  search  for 
you,  and  be  very  glad  when  he  finds 
you;  and  your  place  in  the  great 
battle  of  life  will  be  the  very  place 
you  selected  and  worked  to  prepare 
yourself  for,  and  which  will  be  yours 
by  right,  and  not  by  influence,  the 
Divine  Right  of  the  Kings  of 
Industry. 


George  W.  Mehaffey 

Boston,  Mass.    Secretary,  National 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 


1.  Hard,  persistent  efifort,  coupled 
with  a  love  for  my  work. 

2.  Yes,  ordinarily. 

3.  Yes,  for  the  highest  success. 

4.  No. 

5.  That  depends  on  the  boy.  He 
might  make  a  better  farmer  than 
clerk  or  artisan  in  the  city. 

6.  No. 

7.  Not  if  he  is  qualified  for  other 
work. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes,  to  be  largely  successful. 

11.  Natural  ability  is  the  foundation, 
experience  the  framework  of  success. 

12.  Yes,  but  it  may  be  costly. 

13.  Yes,  if  possible,  but  he  may 
attain  success  without  it,  though  his 
prospects  would  be  better  with  it. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  is  ambitious  to  rise 
beyond  the  position  of  a  machine. 

15.  Yes,  or  serve  time  as  an  appren- 
tice; technical  school  training  would 
be  better. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  In  some  cases.  Many  have  re- 
gretted their  early  decision  not  to  go 
to  college. 

18.  Learn  a  trade  first,  and  he  can 
decide  his  future  course  later. 

19.  If  circumstances  favored  it.  In 
some  cases  it  would  be  better  for  him 
to  remain  with  his  house  with  a  view 
to  securing  an  interest  in  the  business. 

20.  No,  unless  it  were  furnished  by  a 
partner  who  desired  the  benefit  of  his 
experience. 

21.  Speculation. 

22.  The  Bible,  Successward,  Push- 
ing to  the  Front  (Marden),  What   a 


Young  Boy  Ought  to  Know,  What  a 
Young  Man  Ought  to  Know  (Stall), 
The  Strenuous  Life  (Roosevelt),  Up 
From  Slavery  (Washington). 

23.  Yes;  he  should  keep  himself 
abreast  of  the  times,  but  should  be 
careful  what  he  reads.  Avoid  the  sen- 
sational and  impure. 

24.  (a)  No;  as  a  rule  he  would  get  a 
better  training  in  the  office,  store,  or 
shop  of  some  other  person,  (d)  A 
profession,  yes,  if  qualified. 

25.  "This  book  of  the  law  shall  not 
depart  out  of  thy  mouth;  but  thou 
Shalt  meditate  therein  day  and  night, 
that  thou  mayest  observe  to  do 
according  to  all  that  is  written  therein : 
for  then  thou  shalt  make  thy  way 
prosperous,  and  then  thou  shaft  have 
good  success,"    Josh,  i:  8. 


M.  D.  Dunne 

Chicago,     111.      Manager,     Chicago 
Beach  Hotel. 


1.  To  honesty,  sobriety,  and  strict 
attention  to  all  the  details  of  my  pro- 
fession. 

2.  Most  assuredly. 

3.  It  is  a  great  help,  certainly. 

4.  I  do  not. 

5.  Undoubtedly. 

6.  I  would  not. 

7.  No. 

8.  I  certainly  do 

9.  Most  undeniably  so. 

10.  Certainly.  A  man  dissatisfied 
with  his  work  will  scarcely  give  it  the 
attention  necessary  to  make  it  a 
success. 

11.  Experience  without  ability  will 
not  avail  much. 

12.  The  two  should  go  hand  in  hand. 

13.  A  college  education  is  not  a 
necessary  requisite  for  success  in 
business. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  I  do  not. 

18.  A  boy  with  such  qualifications 
would  scarcely  be  successful  in  any 
line,  but  of  the  three,  I'd  advise  a 
trade. 

19.  I  think  so. 

20.  No,  not  under  such  conditions. 

21.  To  speculation  and  lack  of  con- 
servatism. 

22.  Tale  of   Two  Cities,  Ben  Hufg 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


279 


Macaulay's  History  of  England,  his- 
tory of  the  United  States,  ancient  and 
modern  history,  the  Last  of  the 
Barons. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  I  would. 

25.  Be  temperate  and  honest  in  all 
your  dealings. 


General  William  R.  Cox 

Penelo,  N.  C.  Cotton  planter. 
President,  North  Carolina  Agricul- 
tural Society. 


1.  Integrity  and  ambition. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  As  a  general  thing,  no. 

5.  There  is  more  in  the  man  than 
in  the  locality. 

6.  No,  even  though  it  may  require 
a  longer  time  to  rise. 

7.  Yes,  until  it  is  clear  that  he  has 
an  aversion  to  the  pursuit. 

8.  Not  to  temporary  success. 

9.  I  coincide  in  the  maxim:  "  There 
is  no  excellence  without  labor." 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  I  would  rather  rely  on  experi- 
ence, though  genius  might  accomplish 
more  than  mere  experience. 

12.  Answered  in  No.  11. 

13.  Yes;  not  for  merely  what  he 
may  learn  in  books,  but  the  experi- 
ence he  may  secure  of  the  outer  world 
free  from  parental  authority. 

14.  Yes,  but  pursue  an  optional 
course. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  and  pursue  an  A.  B.  course. 

17.  Not  if  he  has  a  will  of  his  own 
and  is  stubborn  in  its  assertion. 

18.  Let  him  try  a  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  I  am  very  much  afraid  of  the 
temptation  of  borrowing;  it  "dulls 
the  edge  of  industry." 

21.  A  too  great  desire  to  become 
suddenly  rich. 

22.  The  Bible,  Blackstone's  Com- 
mentaries on  the  Common  Law, 
Shakespeare,  Marshall's  Life  of  Wash- 
ington, Hume's  History  of  England, 
Milton's  Paradise  Lost. 

23.  Yes,  by  all  means. 

24.  Yes,  if  his  father  is  living  and  so 
advised. 

25.  Do  justice,  love  mercy,  and 
walk  uprightly  before  Q  ocl  aiid  man. 


Emil  Berliner 

Washington,  D.  C.  Inventor  of  the 
gramophone  and  microphone,  and 
telephone  and  telegraph  improve- 
ments. 


1.  Unlimited  patience   and  frugal- 
ity. 

2.  Yes. 
3-  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  No;  to  a  smaller  growing  city. 

6.  For  a  while;  then  return  home. 

7.  Yes,  unless  he  has  decided  talent 
for  something  else. 

8.  No;  but  better  for  society. 

9.  In  99  out  of  loo  cases. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability  is  first. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Very  good,  if  he  can  afford  it. 

14.  Technical  college,  yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Of  course. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade,  first. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Only   when   the   business   is    a 
specialty. 

21.  Lack  of  patience  and  of    good 
advice,  also  extravagance. 

22.  Any  six  books  of  nature. 

23.  A  quarter  of  an  hour  each  day ; 
2  hours  Sunday. 

25.  Never  dwell  on  a  success,  reach 
out  for  the  next. 


Edward  P.  Bigelow,  A.M.,Ph.D. 

Stamford,  Conn.  Nature  lecturer. 
Writer  of  outdoor  and  scientific  litera- 
ture. Editor,  "Nature  and  Science" 
Department,  St.  Nicholas  Magazine. 
Late  editor  Popular  Science  Monthly. 
Formerly  editor,  The  Observer.  Na- 
ture lecturer,  New  York  Board  of 
Education  and  Martha's  Vineyard 
Institute  for  Teachers. 


1.  Keeping  the  ideal  high  and 
working  with  loving  persistence 
toward  it. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes.  Highest  excellence  con- 
tains at  least  90%  of  love. 

4.  No.  Nature  had  enough  of  the 
parent;  that's  why  she  made  the  boy. 


280 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


5.  This  would  depend  not  on  the 
district,  but  boy's  "  adaptations." 

6.  Do  the  work  that  he  can  do  best, 
whether  in  wilderness  or  the  heart  of 
a  city. 

7.  No,  but  make  sure  that  he  really 
doesn't  like  it.  Perhaps  he's  in  love 
with  a  myth. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes,  within  reasonable  limits. 
Persistence  should  not  be  overwork. 

10.  No.  Will  may  do  certain  work 
with  success.  For  the  boy's  best  suc- 
cess he  must  do  work  that  he  loves. 

11.  Adaptation  more  than  either. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes,  if  circumstances  are  not  too 
adverse. 

14.  Certain  "mechanical  trades" 
require  technical  collegiate  education. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  adaptation  and  force  of 
circumstances.  There  is  such  a  thing 
as  "luck." 

22.  The  six  that  will  give  him  the 
best  inspiration,  encouragement,  and 
aid  in  his  most  commendable  aspira- 
tions. 

23.  Yes,  such  parts  as  are  of 
interest  or  helpfulness. 

24.  No,  unless  he  is  better  adapted 
to  that  business  than  to  any  other. 

25.  Be  100%  boy.  The  world's  high- 
est demand  is  for  that  kind  of  material 
with  which  to  make  men. 

Remarks.  To  live  a  life  is  like 
climbing  a  steep,  rugged,  and  icy  hill- 
side. Advancement  means  zeal,  alert- 
ness, and  care.  "Both  head  and 
heart  and  both  in  earnest."  In  spite 
of  the  greatest  care  there  will  be  some 
slips  backward,  but  the  slips  that 
come  from  the  nature  of  the  way, 
from  treacherous  objects  in  the  path, 
or  from  obstructions  by  the  wayside, 
are  more  easily  overcome  than  slips 
from  deliberate  jumps  backward.  Un- 
avoidable slips  backward  are  usually 
overcome  in  length  of  time  not  more 
than  that  in  which  they  were  made. 
It's  astonishing  what  an  amount  of 
distance  down  the  hill,  bruises,  torn 
clothes,  and  even  broken  bones,  will 
come  from  a  wilful  jump  in  that  direc- 
tion. In  one  respect  the  figure  of 
comparison  doesn't  hold.  You  can't 
stand  still  on  life's  icy  hillside. 


C.  W.  Smith 

Seattle,   Wash.    Librarian,    Seattle 
Public  Library. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  After  being  informed  about  it, 
yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  feels  he  must  go. 

6.  Same  as  No.  5. 

7.  No. 

8.  Necessary  to  any  "  success." 

9.  Indispensable. 

10.  Unquestionably. 

11.  Experience  without  ability  is 
mere  mechanics. 

12.  It  can  rapidly  become  experi- 
enced and  successful. 

13.  If  he  wishes  very  much  to  go, 
yes;  if  he  does  not  care,  no. 

14.  Same  as  No.  13. 

15.  Yes,  if  possible. 

16.  Same  as  No.  13. 

17.  No. 

18.  Into  the  first,  and  let  him  see  if 
he  desires  to  change  to  one  of  the 
others. 

19.  As  soon  as  there  is  any  reason- 
able opening. 

20.  Same  as  No.  19. 

21.  Lack  of  unswerving  purpose. 

22.  English  Bible,  Shakespeare's 
Works,  Pilgrim's  Progress,  History  of 
the  World,  Self  Help  (Smiles),  What  a 
Boy  Ought  to  Know  (Stall). 

23.  For  ten  minutes  daily. 

24.  If  each  has  always  loved  the 
other  well,  yes,  unless  the  boy  cannot 
bring  himself  to  do  so. 

25.  Every  function  of  your  body  is 
holy  as  any  sacrament.  Every  idea 
harbored  will  shape  your  habits, 
character,  and  eternal  destiny.  There- 
fore, keep  your  body  and  mmd  clean. 
Everything  is  subject  to  law,  and 
happiness  is  the  full  employment  of 
all  your  powers.  Therefore,  let  no 
function  of  body,  mind,  or  spirit  be 
abused,  but  let  all  be  used.  Success 
is  to  have  left  the  world  better  than 
you  found  it  —  as  much  better  as  you 
can.  Therefore,  decide  as  soon  as  you 
are  able  what  you  can  do  better  than 
anybody  else,  and  go  to  doing  it  with 
all  your  might,  and  never  give  it  up. 
Selfishness  is  the  sin  of  sins.  Never 
do  anything  for  your  gratification  that 
can  hurt  another.  Try  to  "put  your- 
self in  his  (or  her)  place  "  and  "do  as 
you  would  be  done  by." 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


281 


Paul  Mellen  Chamberlain 

Chicago,  111.  Professor  of  Mechani- 
cal Engineering,  Lewis  Institute. 
Inventor. 


1.  Congenial  work,  first.  Associa- 
tion with  superiors  who  kept  me  hard 
at  work,  second.  Persistence  in  ac- 
complishing the  task  or  undertaking, 
third. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Anyonemay  find  men  whom  they 
deem  dishonest,  who  are  wealthy. 

9.  For  the  ordinary  mortal,  yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Ability. 

13.  Not  necessarily  for  a  full  course. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Not  necessarily  for  a  four-year 
course. 

17.  Not  ordinarily. 

i8.  A  business,  as  most  likely  to 
engender  ambition. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

22.  Life  of  Benjamin  Franklia. 

23.  No. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Train  your  memory.  Keep  your 
habits  and  thoughts  clean.  Strive  to 
do  each  task  a  little  better  than  you 
or  any  one  else  have  or  has  done. 


Colonel  William  F.  Cody 

Cody,  Big  Horn  Co.,  Wyo.  Scout, 
soldier,  ranchman.  Head  of  Buffalo 
Bill's  Wild  West  Show. 


I.  To    my  mother's    good    advice 
when  I  was  a  boy. 
3.  Most  certamly. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Keep  out  of  cities;  go  to  the 
arid  West;  lay  in  a  foundation  of 
health  as  Roosevelt  did. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  yes,  yes. 

9.  Mix  in  a  little  rest,  but  stick  to 
your  business. 

la  Yes. 
II.  Ability. 


12.  If  you  hang  on. 

13.  A  good  education  will  do,  but  be 
sure  you  get  it. 

14.  No;  common  school  education 
will  do. 

15.  Not  necessarily. 

16.  If  he  could. 

17.  No  or  yes. 

18.  Either  one  will  do. 

19.  Yes;  no  future  for  any;  one  to 
work  for  a  salary.  Let  him  take 
chances  to  independence. 

20.  It  would  depend  on  the  business 
and  interest. 

21.  Neglect. 

22.  Bible,  history.  Knowledge  Is 
Power,  I  Can  and  I  Will,  America, 
Last  of  the  Great  Scouts. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  it  is  a  business  the  old  man 
has  succeeded  in,  yes. 

25.  I  can  and  I  will. 


William  I.  R.  Gilford 

Cambridge,  Mass.    Librarian,  Pub- 
lic Library. 


3.  Yes. 
3-  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  usually. 

6.  No. 

7.  Not  usually. 

8.  I  am  sorry  to  say,  no. 

9.  Yes,  as  a  good  general  rule. 

10.  To  be  successful  in  the  full  sense, 
yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes;  everybody  has  to  gain  his 
own  experience. 

13.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  By  all  means,  yes. 

17.  There  can  be  no  fixed  rule,  but 
I  have  never  seen  a  man  who  regretted 
going  to  college. 

18.  A  trade. 

20.  No. 

21.  Nowadays  the  small  business  is 
driven  to  the  wall  by  the  great  com- 
bination of  capital. 

22.  The  books  mentioned  are  good; 
it  would  be  hard  to  say  what  are 
"  best."  Franklin's  Autobiography, 
Hughes'  Tom  Brown's  School  Days, 
Defoe's  Robinson  Crusoe,  Scott's 
Ivanhoe,  Irving's  Sketch-book,  Coop- 
er's Leather-Stocking  Tales. 

23.  Yes, 


282 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


24.  Yes,    if    the    business    be    well  ity  and  learn  self-control;  never  feel 


established   and  if    he  has  no  strong 
inclination  to  something  else. 

25.  Be  honest,  diligent,  and  punc- 
tual, and  do  always  a  little  more  than 
is  required  by  your  employer. 


discouraged,  but  rise  with  hopeful 
heart  and  firm  purpose  to  every  occa- 
sion. 


Edward  T.  Jeffery 

New  York  City.  President,  Den- 
ver &  Rio  Grande  R.R.  Late  Commis- 
sioner to  Paris  Exposition.  Late  Chair- 
man, Grounds  and  Buildings  Commit- 
tee, World's  Columbian  Exposition. 


Ralph  E.  Pratt 

Chicago,  111.    Pratt  &  Baxter,  Grain 
Merchants. 


1.  Good  health;  hard  work;  close 
study;  persistent  effort;  liking  for 
my  profession;  doing  everything 
the  best  I  can ;  being  honest  and  rea- 
sonably unselfish;  respecting  my 
superior  officers  in  all  right  and  proper 
things,  and  thus  securing  their  confi- 
dence without  sacrificing  my  self- 
respect. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes,  for  full  success. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  dissatisfied  and  inclined 
to  business  career. 

6.  No,  not  if  he  can  win  reasonable 
success. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  using  "success  "in  broad- 
est sense. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability,  because  it  adapts  to 
useful  ends  the  experience. 

12.  Yes;  it  is  likely  to  secure  experi- 
ence. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Not  absolutely  against  his  will. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Only  to  a  quite  limited  extent. 

21.  Lack  of  intelligent  persistence. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  reasonably  qualified  so 
to  do. 

25.  Love  and  respect  your  father 
and  mother;  reverence  God;  stand  by 
your  country  and  its  laws  and  institu- 
tions; study  and  work»from  the  cradle 
to  the  grave;  have  self-respect  with- 
out vanity  and  win  the  respect  of 
others;  be  honest,  truthful,  just,  and 
manly;  submit  cheerfully  to  author- 


1.  What  little  success  I  have  at- 
tained has  been  through  hard  work, 
using  what  common  sense  I  possessed, 
and  paying  strict  attention  to  my  own 
business. 

2.  I  would,  unless  it  was  a  business 
that  I  felt  was  a  poor  one  and  that  he 
would  be  sure  to  regret  the  choice. 

3-  No. 

4.  No,  unless  the  other  has  some 
decidedly  objectionable  features. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  is  made  of  the  right 
stuff. 

6.  Not  at  least  until  he  had  con- 
siderable experience. 

7.  Keep  him  there  if  possible  'till 
he  gets  a  good  foundation.  He  will 
probably  never  have  as  good  a  chance 
to  get  it  elsewhere. 

8.  Money  can  be  gotten  without 
being  honest,  but  the  success  to  be 
desired  never  comes  through  dis- 
honesty. 

9.  I  do. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  It  will  help  a  good  deal,  but  he 
will  have  the  experience  before  the 
success. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  proper  arrangements  can 
be  made. 

21.  To  not  using  the  common  sense 
they  should. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  What  is  worth  doing  at  all  is 
worth  doing  well.  Keep  everlastingly 
at  it ;  stick-to-it-iveness  will  pull  you 
through.  Don't  forget  to  use  your 
head  as  well  as  your  hands.  You 
can't  fail;  there's  no  such  word  in  the 
dictionary. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


283 


Rev.  Russell  H.  Conwell,  D.D. 

Philadelphia.  Pastor,  the  Baptist 
Temple.  Founder  and  president  of 
Temple  College.    Author. 


1.  Unchangeable  determination. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  cannot  do  as  well  at 
farming. 

6.  Most  great  fortunes  have    been 
made  in  towns  of  6,000  or  less. 

7.  Boys  change  their  minds. 

8.  Yes,  to  real  success. 

9.  Certainly. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Laborer. 

19.  Certainly. 

20.  Not  borrow  more  than  he  has 
himself. 

21.  "Didn't  think."  Untrained 
minds. 

22.  Bible,  Matthew's  Getting  On, 
history,  Shakespeare,  one  on  his 
chosen  profession,  book  on  politeness. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Train  your  minds  in  study  and 
play  to  think  quickly  and  accurately. 


R.  H.  Aishton 

Chicago,  111.    General  Superintend- 
ent, Chicago  &  North  Western  R.R. 


1.  Health  and  physical  endurance; 
sticking  to  one  line  of  business. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No ;  preference  generally  comes 
through  experience. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes,  decidedly. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability,  because  experience  with- 
out ability  is  useless. 

12.  Yes. 


13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Debt,  and  failure  to  live  within 
income. 

22.  A  good  spelling  book.  Thrift, 
Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  Romola, 
Bacon's  Essays,  Life  of  George 
Stephenson. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  If  you  can't  get  what  you  want, 
take  what  you  can  get.  Make  your 
personal  convenience  subservient  to 
your  employer's  interests ;  then  stick. 


John  W.  Gates 

Chicago,  111.    Capitalist.    Financier. 


1.  Attending  strictly  to  my  own 
business  and  working  16  hours  per 
day  when  the  emergency  demanded  it. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No,  not  necessarily. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Profession. 

19.  Work  for  yourself  always,  when 
possible. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Negligence  and  ignorance. 

23.  Yes,  if  there  is  one  printed. 

24.  If  the  father's  business  is  a 
growing  and  increasing  one,  yes;  if 
not,  no. 

25.  Attend  strictly  to  your  own  busi- 
ness; keep  well  posted  as  to  your 
competitors'  methods  and  profits; 
agree  with  your  competitors  rather 
than  fight  them;  make  hay  while  the 
sun  shines;  always  discount  your 
bills;  never  try  to  deceive  your 
banker;  never  neglect  your  busmess 
for  pleasure. 


284 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


John  J.  Boyle 


New  York  City.  Sculptor.  Member 
of  Executive  Council, National  Sculp- 
ture Society. 


I.  Perseverance. 
3.  I  would,  yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  No. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Equal. 

12.  No. 

13.  Not  necessarily. 

14.  Not  necessarily. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Decidedly  no. 

18.  Business  or  trade. 

20.  By  no  means. 

21.  Insincerity  to  one's  self. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  a  United 
States  history,  French  Revolution, 
Story  of  the  Sciences  and  Inventions, 
literature  and  art. 

23.  Yes,  by  all  means. 
85.  Be  true  to  yourself. 


Henry  Bartlett 


Boston,  Mass.  Superintendent,  Mo- 
tive Power  Department,  Boston  & 
Maine  R.R. 


1.  Good  health,  good  education, 
average  endowment  of  brains,  and 
close  application  to  work. 

2.  As  a  rule,  yes. 

3.  Not  absolutely  so;  as  a  rule,  yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  Not  at  first,  any  way.  Possibly 
at  a  later  date. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  As  a  rule,  yes;  not  absolutely  so. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  College  education  first,  technical 
education  after. 


16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  No. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  application. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Select  your  future  calling  care 
fully,  prepare  diligently  for  it,  an< 
make  your  employers'  interests  you 
own. 


Rev.  Thompson  H.  Lan(ion,D.D 

Bordentown,  N.  J.    President,  Bor 
dentown  Military  Institute. 


1.  To  "minding  my  own  business' 
whatever  it  was,  whether  preaching 
studying,  or  teaching. 

2.  Of  course  I  would. 

3.  A  man  may  have  "success' 
without  such  preference,  but  not  the 
fullest  success. 

4.  Certainly  not. 

5.  Yes,  if  his  heart  is  right  and  hii 
head  is  strong  to  resist  evil. 

6.  It  is  good  to  succeed  a  bit  a1 
home,  and  go  to  the  larger  sphere  with 
some  experience. 

7.  No,  though  it  may  be  his  duty  te 
stay  there  a  while. 

8.  Of  course  I  do. 

9.  Yes,  except  a  few  cases  now  and 
then  of  luck. 

10.  It  is  much  to  be  desired. 

n.  With  average  ability,  experience. 

12.  How  can  a  man  use  his  ability 
long  without  gaining  experience  ? 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  no. 

18.  A  trade  or  business. 

19.  Why  not  ? 

20.  Yes,  if  not  too  large  a  borrower. 

21.  Slack-twistedness  somewhere. 

22.  First,  the  Bible,  after  that  it  de- 
pends entirely  upon  the  character 
and  tendencies  of  the  boy. 

23.  Yes,  if  he  can  find  one. 

24.  No,  and  yet  I  would  not  advise 
him  not  to.  Circumstances  alter 
cases. 

25.  ♦'  Seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God 
and  His  righteousness  and  all  these 
things  shall  be  added  unto  you," 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


28s 


Rev.   Henry  N.  Couden,  D.D. 

Washington,  D.  C.  Chaplain,  United 
States  House  of  Representatives. 


1.  Perseverance  and  industry. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 
6.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

15.  By  all  means,  if  he  can. 

16.  By  all  means,  if  it  is  possible. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade  or  business. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  A    lack   of    strict    attention    to 
business. 
33.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  studious,  honest,  industrious. 


A.  W.  Wright 


Alma,  Mich.  Lumberman,  Presi- 
dent, Bank  of  Saginaw,  Alma  Sugar 
Co.,  Peerless  Portland  Cement  Co., 
Cincinnati,  Saginaw  &  Mackinaw  R.R., 
and  Advance  Thresher  Co.  Head  of 
A.  W.  Wright  Lumber  Co.  and  Wright, 
Davis  &  Co.  Treasurer,  Alma  College. 


1.  Economy  and  devotion  to  busi- 
ness. 

2.  Yes,  if  preference  is  reasonable 
and  intelligent. 

3.  Yes,  with  exceptions. 

4.  No. 

5.  No,  unless  he  has  good  business 
talent  and  some  city  friends. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes;  sometimes  the  success 
which  follows  persistent  effort  brings 
love  for  the  work. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Occasionally. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes;  the  country  needs  educated 
men  in  the  ranks. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  with  exceptions. 


18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No,  with  exceptions.  Let  him 
save  capital  from  salary,  start,  and 
borrow  if  necessary. 

21.  Extravagance. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest;  be  attentive  to  busi- 
ness ;  keep  your  credit  better  than  your 
clothes ;  ' '  never  put  off  'till  to-morrow 
what  you  can  do  to-day;  "  be  prompt 
in  keeping  engagements;  if  you  bor- 
row anything,  use  it  better  than  your 
own,  and  return  it  promptly. 


C.  A.  Goodnow 

Chicago,  111.  General  Superintend- 
ent, Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
R.R. 


1.  Thorough  knowledge  of  what 
I  undertook  and  steadfastness  in  pur- 
suing a  definite  ambition. 

2.  Yes,  if  worthy. 

3.  Generally,  yes;  but  not  always. 

4.  I  do  not  consider  it  wise. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  right  material 
in  him,  ambition,  etc. 

6.  Absolutely  dependent  upon  the 
boy.  If  he  is  ambitious  and  his  am- 
bitions are  clearly  defined  and  he  feels 
it  necessary  to  go  to  the  city,  he 
should  go. 

7.  No,  if  he  really  loves  anything. 
If  he  doesn't  have  distinct  predilec- 
tions he  might  as  well  farm. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
ID.  Yes. 

11.  Generally  experience;  often- 
times, however,  ability  will  wring  out 
more  experience  in  a  year  than  the 
merely  experienced  man  in  several 
years. 

12.  Success  cannot  be  accomplished 
in  a  minute,  and  ability  will  gain 
tremendous  experience  as  it  goes 
along. 

13.  No,  but  he  should  be  graduated 
from  a  good  high  school. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

17.  No,  but  he  ought  to  be  made  to 
understand  what  he  is  missing  in  the 
opportunity. 

18.  Should  connect  himself  with  a 
good  wholesale  house  and  work  up. 

19.  Yes,  and  the  ground  is  promising. 


286 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


2a  Yes,  if  he  is  sure  of  what  he  is 
doing. 

21.  If  this  refers  to  business,  I 
would  say  to  lack  of  capital  and  ex- 
perience. 

22.  I  believe  in  wide,  general  reading, 
particularly  those  books  which  tell  of 
success  from  small  beginnings  and 
teach  steadfastness  and  perseverance. 
Some  novel  reading,  Dickens,  Thack- 
eray, George  Eliot,  etc. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  his  bent  is  that  way. 

25.  Persevere,  and  above  all  be 
better  than  your  promise. 


Eugene  G.  Blackford 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  President,  Bedford 
Bank,  American  Writing  Machine 
Company,  New  York;  Biological 
School,  Cold  Spring,  N.  Y.  Vice- 
president,  Union  Typewriter  Com- 
pany and  Brooklyn  Institute  of  Arts 
and  Sciences.    Merchant. 


1.  In  everything  I  undertook  to  do 
the  best  I  could,  either  as  office  boy, 
clerk,  book-keeper,  or  merchant.  As 
a  business  man  I  tried  always  to  lead 
rather  than  follow.  During  the  first 
15  years  of  my  business  life  I  arose 
every  morning  at  from  2  to  4  o'clock. 
I  always  tried  to  cultivate  the  ac- 
quaintance and  friendship  of  those 
who  would  benefit  me  morally,  so- 
cially, and  financially. 

2.  I  certainly  should. 

3.  Not  in  every  case. 

4.  I  do  not. 

6.  I  would  not. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Sure;  a  most  important  element. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Without      ability    experience 
would  not  count  for  much. 

12.  See  No.  n. 

13.  I  would  not. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes,  but  a  great  deal  depends 
upon  what  kind  of  business. 

20.  No,     except    under    exceptional 
circumstances. 

21.  Extravagance  or  spending  more 
than  your  income. 


22.  The  Bible,  history  of  the  United 
States,  Shakespeare. 

23.  By  all  means. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  has  the  inclination,  as 
he  would  to  a  large  extent  benefit  by' 
the  experience  of  his  father. 

25.  Be  honest;  be  saving;  be  indus- 
trious; be  clean  ;  keep  good  company; 
keep  good  hours ;  study  your  employ- 
er's interest;  study  to  do  your  best 
always;  never  neglect  any  work  be- 
cause you  think  it  belongs  to  the  other 
boy  to  do. 


General  Roeliflf  Brinkerhoff 

Mansfield,  Ohio.  Banker.  Philan- 
thropist. Ex-president,  Mansfield  Sav- 
ings Bank,  National  Conference  of 
Charities  and  Correction,  and  Ameri- 
can National  Prison  Congress. 


1.  There  were  two  things,  I  think, 
more  than  all  others,  that  shaped  my 
life  in  its  formative  years,  {a)  A  kind 
Providence  that  repeatedly  and  abso- 
lutely barred  the  way  to  that  which  I 
had  deliberately  selected  as  my  life 
work.  (3)  The  cheerful  acceptance  on 
my  part  of  such  Providential  vetoes, 
with  a  resolution  to  do  the  best  that 
was  in  me  to  succeed  in  the  lines  left 
open.  Under  this  Providential  dicta- 
tion, I  became,  in  succession,  in  busi- 
ness life,  a  fisher  of  man,  a  farmer,  an 
educator,  a  lawyer,  an  editor,  a  soldier, 
and  a  banker,  and  I  am  credited  by 
those  who  know  my  career  with  more 
than  ordinary  success  in  each.  Cer- 
tainly, I  have  been  happy  and  con- 
tented in  each,  and  would  have  been 
entirely  satisfied  to  retain  either  of 
these  occupations,  but  an  inexorable 
Providence  said  "no,"  except  in  my 
life  as  a  banker  since  1873.  Outside 
of  my  successes  as  noted,  and  outside 
of  business,  I  am  credited  with  suc- 
cesses which  I  value  more  than  any 
I  achieved  in  business.  They  were 
largely  philanthropic,  and  were  al- 
ways earnest  efforts  to  be  of  service 
to  my  fellow-men. 

2.  Yes,  if  it  is  an  honorable  one, 

3.  Not  necessarily. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  unless  he  has  friends  in  a 
great  city  who  offer  him  a  start. 

6.  No  ;  life  is  much  more  desirable 
in  a  small  city  than  in  a  large  one. 
Life  is  more  than  money. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


287 


7.  No  ;  give  him  a  fair  education 
and  let  him  sail  his  own  boat  under 
friendly  suggestions. 

8.  Not  only  necessary,  but  indis- 
pensable. 

9.  Yes  ;  more  so  now  than  ever 
before,  for  competition  is  more  stren- 
uous. 

10.  Not  necessarily,  but  it  is  an  up- 
hill job  to  succeed  without  it. 

11.  Both  are  necessary,  but  ability 
is  indispensable. 

12.  Yes,  but  it  would  be  pure  luck. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  it,  and 
makes  his  studies  a  preparation  for 
his  business. 

14.  He  should  go  to  a  technical 
school  and  master  his  trade. 

15.  Certainly,  and  make  himself  an 
expert  mechanic. 

16.  Yes ;  shaping  his  studies  for  pro- 
fessional use. 

17.  No;  no  boy  should  go  to  college 
unless  he  has  inclinations  that  wav. 

18.  Let  him  go  to  school  until  he 
develops  a  preference. 

19.  Yes,  if  prospects  are  favorable. 

20.  Yes,  under  exceptional  condi- 
tions and  after  careful  consideration. 

21.  Lack  of  ability,  experience,  or 
integrity.  Generally  there  are  several 
causes. 

22.  Without  knowledge  of  the  boy, 
I  would  not  advise  ;  as  a  rule  I  would 
turn  him  loose  in  a  library  and  let  him 
browse  for  himself  under  occasional 
suggestions  from  the  librarian  or  his 
subordinates. 

23.  Yes,  and  also  several  instructive 
weeklies  and  monthlies. 

24.  Yes,  if  it  is  an  honorable  one, 
and  he  has  no  special  dislike  to  it. 

25.  Commit  to  memory  the  Ten 
Commandments  and  the  Sermon  on 
the  Mount,  and  guide  your  lives  by 
their  teachings,  and  you  will  be  sure 
of  vsuccess  in  the  life  that  now  is,  and 
will  have  the  promise  of  the  life  to 
come. 

Remarks.  As  a  rule  a  boy  has  no 
definite  idea  of  what  business  is  best 
for  him.  Let  him  not  be  in  a  hurry  to 
decide,  but  accept  the  first  fair  open- 
ing that  offers,  and  make  himself  as 
useful  as  possible,  and  make  a  study 
of  it,  and  especially  let  him  make  the 
interests  of  his  employer  paramount. 
After  accomplishing  the  special  task 
assigned  him,  let  him  ask  if  there  is 
anything  else  he  can  do  for  him. 
"Don't  look  at  the  clock,"  but  work 
extra  hours,  in  an  emergency,  to  bene- 


fit his  employer.  An  employer,  who 
is  not  a  brute,  will  appreciate  such  a 
boy,  and  will  soon  give  him  promo- 
tion. If  he  perseveres  he  will  soon 
discover  what  he  is  best  fitted  for, 
and  then  he  can  adopt  his  life  work. 
Having  done  so,  let  him  stick  to  it, 
unless  switched  off,  as  I  was,  by  over- 
whelming circumstances.  The  old 
maxims  still  hold,  "A  Jack  of  all 
trades  is  master  of  none,"  "A  roll- 
ing stone  gathers  no  moss." 


George  Coates  Ashmun,  M.D. 

Cleveland,  Ohio.  Professor,  Hy- 
giene and  Preventative  Medicine,  and 
Registrar,  Medical  College,  Western 
Reserve  University. 


1.  A  good  ancestry.  A  capacity  for 
intelligent  effort. 

2.  Yes,  if  supported  by  mature 
judgment. 

3.  No. 

4.  No,  if  the  boy's  preference  has  a 
prospect  of  valuable  results  to  him- 
self or  others. 

5.  Yes,  after  he  is  sixteen. 

6.  No,  unless  especially  good  ad- 
vantages open  in  the  city. 

7.  No,  although  it  should  not  be 
determined  until  a  sufficient  age  is 
reached  for  "liking "  to  be  known. 

8.  Yes;  honorable  success. 

9.  For  most  people.  There  have 
been  exceptions. 

10.  Yes,  or  at  least  his  work  and  the 
results  of  it. 

11.  Ability  plus  experience. 

12.  In  most  lines,  no;  for  ability 
tested  gives  experience. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  do  so  without  in- 
curring debt. 

14.  Yes,  with  a  selected  course. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes,  up  to  a  point  of  demonstra- 
tion of  his  acquisition. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  It  would  depend  upon  the  oppor- 
tunity. 

21.  Want  of  application.  Poor  health. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  it  has  proved  reliable. 

25.  Be  diligent;  be  trustworthy;  im- 
prove every  opportunity  to  do  good 
for  yourself  and  others. 


288 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Frank  P.  Hill 


Brooklyn,   N.  Y. 
Public  Library. 


Chief  Librarian, 


1.  Education,  attention. 

2.  Ordinarily,  yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  No,  unless  a  good    opening    is 
before  him. 

6.  No. 

7.  Depends  upon  other  chances. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

la  More  likely  to  succeed  if  heart  is 
in  the  work. 

11.  A  delightful  combination  of  both. 

12.  One  must  follow  the  other. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Technical  school  best  prepara- 
tion. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Not  unless  he  has  courage  and 
confidence  in  himself. 

21.  Hard  to  tell,  but  lack  of  confi- 
dence in  self  is  at  the  bottom  of  many 
failures. 

22.  Franklin's  Autobiography,  Ivan- 
hoe,  Robinson  Crusoe,  Tom  Brown  at 
Oxford,  Pilgrim's  Progress,  the  Bible. 

23.  Good  daily,  yes. 

24.  If  so  inclined  on  both  sides. 

25.  "  Be  not  wise  in  your  own  con- 
ceits," but  be  guided  by  the  experience 
of  others. 


Charles  W.  Dabney,  Ph.D. 

Knoxville,  Tenn.  President,  Uni- 
versity of  Tennessee.  Ex-assistant 
Secretary  of  Agriculture. 


1.  I  have  not  had  much  success, 
but  what  little  I  have  had  I  attribute 
entirely  to  the  training  of  *a  devoted 
Christian  mother  and  a  scholarly  and 
sanctified  father. 

2.  Yes,  emphatically. 

3.  Not  always  manifested  at  the 
beginning,  but  must  be  developed. 

4.  No,  never. 

5.  No,  but  to  go  where  he  can  earn 
an  education  and  then  select  a  place 
to  settle. 


6.  Never,  unless  there  are  some 
special  reasons  in  his  home  or  environ- 
ment. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Of  course. 

10.  Certainly. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  No. 

13.  By  all  means  if  he  has  native 
ability. 

14.  Go  to  a  technical  school  if  he 
has  ability. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  By  all  means.  We  have  enough 
quacks  in  the  professions. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  he  has  diligence,  common 
sense,  and  is  an  economical  and 
thrifty  chap. 

21.  Ignorance,  and  laziness  next. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  the  other 
four  are  not  in  their  class  and  may  be 
selected  from  Lubback's  100  books. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Should  decide  independently. 

25.  ' '  Love  thy  God  and  thy  neigh- 
bor as  thyself." 


Brooklyn 
poser.    Dir 


Dudley  Buck 

N.  Y.     Organist, 
irector,  Apollo  Club. 


Com- 


1.  A    certain    amount    of   "gift," 
backed  up  by  years  of  constant  study. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  Idiotic  act. 

6.  No  ;    development    would    take 
care  of  itself. 

8.  Of  course. 

9.  Of  course. 

10.  Of  course. 

11.  Stupids  have  experience. 

12.  Often,  in  a  half-fledged  way. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Never. 

18.  Try  him  with  the  first  two,  not 
the  third. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


289 


Rev.  Wallace  Radcliffe,  D.D. 

Washington,    D.    C.     Pastor,    New 
York  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church. 


1.  Good  Scotch-Irish  parents. 
Youthful  training  in  church.  Indus- 
try, congenial  work,  faith. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Generally. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  In  the  long  run  and  in  the  large 
meaning  of  success,  yes. 

9.  Undoubtedly. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability  must  have  experience  be- 
fore it  can  attain  success. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  concentration. 

22.  The  Bible;  Pilgrim's  Progress; 
Plutarch's  Lives;  Smiles'  Self-Help; 
a  nature  book  like.  Wild  Animals  I 
Have  Known;  Alice  in  Wonderland. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  The  Fifth  Commandment. 


Hon.  John  Campbell 

Denver,  Colo.  Chief  Justice,  Su- 
preme Court  of  Colorado.  Law  lec- 
turer, Colorado  State  University. 


1.  Industry,  integrity,  justice. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

7.  In  general,  no. 

8.  Most  certainly. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes,  eminently  successful. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Depends     upon     whether     the 


**  will "  results  from  obstinacy  or  rests 
on  sound  reasons. 

18.  That  I  can't  answer,  definitely  ; 
but  either  a  trade  or  business,  which- 
ever his  natural  aptitude  better  fits 
him  for. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Intemperance. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare's  works, 
Coleridge's  works,  Emerson's  Essays, 
some  English  history  like  Green's, 
Milton. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  temperate,  indus- 
trious, sympathetic,  charitable,  coura- 
geous. Keep  out  of  politics  'till  you 
are  settled  in  your  life  work.  Marry 
a  sensible  woman. 


Hon.  Eugene  B.  Gary 

Abbeville,  S.  C.     Justice,  Supreme 
Court  of  South  Carolina. 


1.  Fidelity,  prompt  attention  to 
business,  and  scrupulous  care  in  meet- 
ing financial  obligations. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  In  general  it  is. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  special  talent. 

6.  Generally  I  would  not. 

7.  No. 

8.  I  regret  that  business  success  is 
frequently  the  outgrowth  of  dis- 
honesty. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes. 

18.  That  for  which  his  talents  best 
qualify  him. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Extravagance  in  expenditures. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Gil  Bias, 
Don  Quixote,  Arabian  Nights,  Robin- 
son Crusoe. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  systematically  industrious, 
faithful  to  every  trust,  and  zealously 
prompt  in  responding  to  financial 
obligations. 


290 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Hon.  John  P.  Dillon 

Far  Hills,  N.  J.  Lawyer.  General 
counsel  of  the  Missouri  Pacific  R.R. 
and  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Co., 
and  consulting  counsel  for  Manhattan 
Elevated  R.R.  and  Union  Pacific  R.R. 
Author. 


1.  Fidelity  and  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessarily. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  as  a  rule. 

6.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Ability  indispensable. 

12.  Not  a  full  measure  of  success. 

14.  Yes,  if  the  boy  really  wants  to 
go  to  college. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  can. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Some  kind  of  trade  or  business. 

20.  Sometimes  advisable. 

21.  Want  of  thoroughness. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  everything  else  is  equal. 

25.  Be  faithful,  honest,    true,    dili- 
gent, conscientious,  thorough. 


Daniel  P.  Morse 

New  York  City.  President,  Morse 
&  Rogers  (Corporation),  wholesale  dis- 
tributers of  boots,  shoes,  and  rubbers, 
and  shoe  findings.  Treasurer,  Craw- 
ford Shoe  Makers.  President,  Edwin 
C.  Burt  Co.  and  Tuttle  Shoe  Co.  Ex- 
president,  Arkwright  Club.  Ex- 
treasurer,  Lincoln  Club,  Brooklyn. 
Treasurer,  the  Morse  Society. 


1.  Hard  work,  and  more  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  with  a  reservation. 

6.  I  should  say,  think  twice. 
8.  Yes. 

g.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  will  very  soon  get  expe- 
rience. 

13.  Yes,  with  a  reservation;  it  de- 
pends a  good  deal  on  the  boy. 

14.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  13. 


15.  Yes,  emphatically. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Ordinarily,  yes. 

20.  It    depends    on  the  man;  most 
successful  men  have  had  to. 

21.  Lack  of  ability. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  That    depends  on    the    boy;   it 
spoils  some  and  makes  others. 

25.  Think.    Work.    Stick  to  it. 


Luther  Burbank 

Santa  Rosa,  Cal.  Naturalist.  Orig- 
inator of  new  fruits,  flowers,  nuts,"  and 
vegetables. 


1.  Strict  temperance.  Some  disap- 
pointments in  life  which  made  me 
think  of  the  welfare  of  others  as  well 
as  myself.  Honest,  sincere,  and  strict 
attention  to  business  and  to  the  inter- 
ests of  others  as  well  as  my  own. 
Throwing  overboard  old  superstitions 
and  listening  to  the  suggestions  of 
nature. 

2.  Usually. 

3.  Not  always,  but  generally  for  the 
fullest  success. 

4.  Very  rarely,  if  ever. 

5.  This  depends  upon  the  boy's 
business  tendencies. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes.  I  consider  absolute  hon- 
esty in  all  business  dealings  the  only 
true  road  to  success. 

9.  Always,  to  true  success.  Na- 
ture's forces  move  slowly  but  surely. 

10.  For  the  best  success  he  must. 

11.  One  must  have  ability  to  make 
use  of  experience. 

12.  Ability,  without  experience, 
sometimes,  but  rarely,  accomplishes 
solid  success. 

13.  Never;  valuable  time  lost  for 
learning  more  important  matters. 

14.  Never. 

15.  Depends  upon  the  boy, the  school, 
and  the  trade. 

16.  Generally. 

17.  No. 

18.  Of  the  three,  I  should  choose  a 
trade. 

19.  This  may  often  improve  his  char- 
acter as  well  as  his  condition. 

20.  Very  rarely,  if  ever. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


291 


21.  Expecting  success  without  pay- 
ing the  full  price  which  the  laws  of 
nature  demand  from  all. 

22.  The  best  works  of  Ralph  Waldo 
Emerson  and  Robert  G.  IngersoU. 
These  broaden  the  mind  and  place  one 
in  harmony  with  nature. 

23.  Much  better  reading,  and  of  more 
importance,  can  be  obtained  from 
other  sources. 

24.  No  ;  human  life  needs  a  radical 
change  every  generation  or  two. 

25.  Be  yourself.  Guard  your  health 
by  strict  temperance  in  all  things. 
Cultivate  honesty,  sincerity,  and  un- 
selfishness, as  these  will  bring  you 
more  friends,  wealth,  and  happiness 
than  anything  else  in  the  world. 


Rev.  William  J.  Tucker,  D.D. 

Hanover,  N.    H.    President,    Dart- 
mouth College. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  Necessary  in  the  absence  of  a 
dominating  will. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  can  adapt  himself  to 
the  opportunities  of  a  city. 

6.  Not  unless  he  gives  promise  of 
unusual  power. 

7.  Not  if  he  is  fitted  to  leave  it. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes,  a  first-class  boy  intending 
to  enter  a  first-class  business. 

14.  Not  as  a  rule;  a  technical  school 
rather. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  invention  or  will  power. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Not  if   he   can  do    better  else- 
where. 


Hon.  John  B.  Moore 

New  York  City.  Formerly  Assist- 
ant Secretary  of  State.  Secretary 
and  counsel  to  Peace  Commission  at 
Paris.  Professor,  International  Law 
and  Diplomacy,  Columbia  University. 
Author. 


2.  Yes,  as  a  general  thing. 

3.  Not  absolutely  so. 

4.  Not    unless   the   preference   is 
manifestly  unwise. 

5.  It  depends  upon  his  tastes  and 
capacity. 

6.  Same  as  No.  5. 

7.  Same  as  No.  4. 

8.  Money  often  is  made  without  it, 
if  that  is  what  is  meant. 

g.  As  a  rule,  yes. 

10.  One  must  be  interested  in  his 
work  to  succeed,  and  if  he  is  inter- 
ested, he  learns  to  like  it. 

11.  One  gains  experience  by  the 
exercise  of  his  abilities;  he  can't  have 
experience  first.  He  must  have  abil- 
ity anyhow. 

12.  See  answer  to  No.  11. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  If  his  situation  enables  him  to 
do  so  without  too  great  a  sacrifice  of 
time. 

15.  Yes,  but  some  of  our  universi- 
ties have  excellent  technical  schools. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  If  his  opposition  is  due  to  indo- 
lence, yes. 

18.  A  trade  or  a  business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  the  prospect  is  sufficiently 
promising. 

21.  Inattention. 

23.  Yes, 

24.  Yes. 

25.  To  meet  every  duty,  as  it  arises, 
instantly  and  courageously. 


Milton  Bradley 

Springfield,  Mass.  President,  The 
Milton  Bradley  Co.  Originated  the 
Bradley  System  of  Color  Instruction. 
Author. 


I.  Performance  of   duty  and  per- 
sistent work. 


1.  Poverty  and  pluck. 

2.  Yes,  other  conditions  being 
fairly  favorable. 

3.  Not  necessary,  but  a  great  fac- 
tor in  the  final  results. 

4.  No,  unless  his  preferences  are  de- 
cidedly low,  and  even  then  actual 
compulsion  will  avail  little. 

5.  Under  such  conditions  the  boy 
will  be  most  likely  to  go  without 
advice. 

6.  Would  advise  him  to  learn  some 
trade  or  business  in  the  home-town, 
by  which  he  may  earn  a  good  living  if 
other  ambitions  fail  him. 


292 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


7.  No,  unless  his  dutjr  to  the  fam- 
ily is  such  as  to  render  his  aid  neces- 
sary for  a  time. 

8.  That  may  depend  on  what  one 
calls  "  success." 

9.  Yes,  unless  a  stroke  of  luck  hits 
him  before  he  is  aware  of  it. 

10.  Not  necessarily  so,  but  generally, 
yes. 

11.  Ability  without  experience  bet- 
ter than  experience  without  ability. 

12.  Yes,  possibly,  but  not  probably. 

13.  Yes,  if  his  parents  are  able  and 
willing,  and  the  boy  will  study  rather 
than  cut  his  recitations. 

14.  Much  better  get  all  there  is  in  a 
good  technical  school  of  the  present 
time. 

15.  He  ought  to  learn  the  mechanical 
trade  and  much  more,  if  the  school  is 
up  to  the  high  standard  which  ought 
to  prevail  to-day. 

16.  Yes,  to  the  college,  and  more. 

17.  No. 

18.  That  must  depend  on  many  facts 
and  circumstances.  The  ambition 
should  be  developed  first,  if  possible. 

19.  Under  such  conditions  I  would 
not  advise  him.  In  time  he  will  prob- 
ably decide  to  do  it  without  advice. 

20.  No;  I  would  not  take  the  risk  of 
his  failure. 

21.  Ambition,  without  knowledge 
and  capital. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  the  business  is  profitable  and 
conditions  pleasant,  yes. 

25.  Do  your  best  every  time  and 
never  say,  *'I  can't." 


John  Henry  Chapman 

Chicago,    111.      President,     Baptist 
Young  People's  Society. 


1.  If  I  have  had  any  measure  of 
success,  it  is  due  to  patience,  persist- 
ence, industry,  and  the  blessing  of 
God. 

2.  Not  always;  should  have  quali- 
fications as  well  as  preferences. 

3.  No,  but  very  desirable. 

4.  No;  a  parent  cannot  absolutely 
decide.  A  wise  son  will  consider 
parents'  advice. 

6.  No,  except  in  rare  cases. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes ;  true  success.  Possession 
of  money  is  not  unqualified  success. 


9.  Yes.    Again,  yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Ability,  for  experience  is  lost 
without  ability. 

12.  Success  IS  experience. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Not  wise,  and  really  impossible. 

18.  Does  not  matter  where  he  goes 
(average  city  hall  job  might  fit). 

19.  Yes,  in  some  cases. 

20.  Sometimes. 

21.  Recklessness. 

22.  Bible,  best  guide  for  business 
and  all  relations  in  life;  John  Halifax, 
Gentleman ;  John  Stuart  Mills'  Politi- 
cal Economy;  David  Copperfield;  Cap- 
tains Courageous. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  when  there  is  harmony. 

25.  Avoid  sin,  as  you  would  fire, 
pestilence,  and  the  sword.  Seek 
righteousness  and  believe  that  true 
happiness  and  success  are  found  only 
by  those  who  walk  in  its  paths. 
"  Righteousness  exalteth  a  nation," 
also  individual.  "The  way  of  the 
transgressor  is  hard." 

R  EMARKs.  Be  sure  you're  right,  then 
go  ahead.  "  Keeping  everlastingly  at 
it  brings  success." 


William  H.  Baldwin,  Jr. 

New  York  City.    President,  Long 
Island  R.R. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  Assuredly  not,  but  the  chosen 
work  must  be  made  preferred,  and 
success  will  follow  if  sincerely  inter- 
ested. 

4.  Under  no  circumstances. 

5.  Depends  entirely  on  the  boy.  Far 
better  for  him  to  learn  scientific  farm- 
ing and  follow  it,  unless  specially 
adapted  to  city  life. 

6.  Only  the  exceptional  boy. 

7.  No,  but  he  should  have  a  chance 
to  learn  what  real  farming  is,  and  not 
draw  his  conclusions  from  his  father's 
methods. 

8.  Absolutely,  in  my  understand- 
ing of  the  word  "  success." 

9.  It  is  the  first  principle,  with  rare 
exceptions. 

10.  One  must  feel  that  work  is  essen- 
tial to  happiness,  and  the  chosen  work 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience"  293 


should  be  "loved"  to  bring  out  the 
best  qualities. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  Sometimes,  but  generally  suc- 
cess is  temporary  when  dependent  on 
ability. 

13.  Decidedly,  yes. 

14.  To  a  technical  school. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Never,  but  he  should  have  every 
chance  to  know  really  what  a  college 
is. 

18.  Business. 

19.  This  cannot  be  answered  except 
at  great  length.  It  depends  on  the 
business.  If  a  competitive  business, 
yes. 

20.  Yes,  if  the  business  conditions 
are  favorable. 

21.  Lack  of  persistency.  Giving  up 
at  critical  times.    Lack  of  courage. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  successful  business  and 
the  boy  is  a  "  chip  off  the  block." 

25.  If  you  have  a  preference  for  any 
particular  life-work,  undertake  it.  If 
you  haven't,  choose  the  one  you  think 
you  would  like  best  to  do  every  day. 
Begin  at  the  bottom,  no  matter  what 
your  education  may  be,  and  then  stick 
to  your  work,  thro'  thick  and  thin. 
Remember  that  moments  of  discour- 
agement are  periods  of  test.  Hang 
on,  and  pass  those  who  hesitate  and 
give  up.  Be  honest.  Above  all,  learn 
early  to  deal  fairly  with  men. 


Boston,    Mass. 
&  Co.,  dry  goods 


John  Shepard 

Shepard,   Norwell 


1.  What  little  success  I  have  had 
was  due  to  industry  and  economy  all 
the  earlv  years  of  my  life,  honesty  and 
truthfulness  always  being  the  ruling 
spirit. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

ID.  Not  always. 

11.  Both  are  essential. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 


14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Lack  of  industry  and  economy. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  likes  the  business. 

25.  Always  be  truthful  and  unselfish 
if  you  want  to  get  the  most  happiness 
out  of  life. 


Rev.  A.  Frederic  Dunnels 

Fitchburg,  Mass.      Pastor,  Calvin- 
istic  Congregational  Church. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  Generally. 

4.  Never. 

5.  Personal  preferences  count.  If 
he  enjoys  the  country  and  its  life  and 
can  find  reasonable  opening,  let  him 
remain  at  home. 

6.  No. 
No. 
Yes. 
Yes. 
Yes. 
Ability, 
No. 
If  the  broadest  usefulness  and 

enjoyment  of  life  is  desired,  and  the 
boy  has  a  taste  for  study. 

14.  If  he  is  ambitious  to  fill  the  high- 
est positions  in  his  trade. 

15.  Yes. 
Yes. 
No. 
A  trade  or  business. 

22.  The  Bible.  Beyond  this  there 
are  too  many  equally  good  to  select 
any  small  number  as  best.  Much  de- 
pends also  on  the  boy's  previous  read- 
ing. Among  most  excellent  books 
may  be  mentioned  Seton-Thompson's 
Wild  Animals  I  Have  Known,  Don 
Quixote  (boy's  edition),  Carpenter's 
Geographical  Readers,  Peyle's  Men  of 
Iron. 

23.  Yes,  its  leading  articles. 

24."If  a  well-established  one  and  in 
line  with  his  taste. 

25.  Get  all  the  education  circum- 
stances allow,  that  you  may  take  up 
life's  work  with  trained  powers.  Work 
hard,  and  believe  that  no  material  suc- 
cess can  be  compared  with  attain- 
ments of  the  ripest  character. 


7- 
8. 

9- 
10. 
II. 
12. 
^.3- 


16. 

17- 
18. 


294 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


W,  F.  Bradbury,  A.  M.,  LL.D. 

Cambridge,  Mass.  Head-Master, 
Latin  School.  President,  American 
Institute  of  Instruction.  Secretary, 
Handel  &  Haydn  Society.  Author  of 
24  text-books. 


1.  Early  poverty;  no  money  to 
spend;  hard  work;  ambition;  honesty; 
a  taste  for  mathematics ;  persistency. 
I  had  to  earn  my  own  way  through 
college. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

12.  The  experience  comes. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  it. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Most  assuredly. 

17.  Yes;  I  had  a  son  whom  I  forced 
into  college;  after  a  year  and  a  half 
he  was  glad  that  I  did,  and  has  never 
ceased  to  be  thankful. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Stupidity  and  lack  of  push. 

23.  The  Bible,  selections;  Shake- 
speare; Dickens  (any  of  them);  Carlyle 
(any  of  them);  Macaulay's  England; 
Victor  Hugo's  Les  Mis6rables. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Get  wisdom;  get  understanding; 
put  in  solid  work. 


James  F.  Baldwin,  M.D. 

Columbus,  Ohio.  Formerly  Surgeon 
and  Chief  of  Staff,  Grant  Hospital. 
Author. 


1.  Chiefly  to  persistent  effort  and 
hard  work.  Of  considerable  impor- 
tance, but  secondary,  a  rather  unusual 
degree  of  inherited  mechanical  skill. 

2.  Yes,  as  a  rule,  to  which  there  are 
very  few  exceptions. 

3.  Yes,  but  there  are  some  excep- 
tions. 

4.  Most  emphatically,  no, 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 


7.  No,    unless    there    is    no    other 
opening  which  seems  suitable. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No,  but  to  be  successful  will 
then  require  more  effort. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  if  there  has  been  proper 
preliminary  training. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  possibly  afford  it. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  it,  but  it  is 
not  so  essential. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Unquestionably. 

17.  No. 

i8.  He  should  enter  a  trade.  He 
would  certainly  fail  in  a  profession, 
and  probably  in  business. 

19.  Yes,  unless  competition,  in  these 
days  of  "trusts,"  would  be  apt  to 
render  such  a  course  disastrous. 

20.  Not  unless  the  circumstances 
and  prospects  were  unusually  favor- 
able. 

21.  Lack  of  application. 

23.  Yes,  but  he  should  early  acquire 
the  habit  of  skipping. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Choose  your  vocation  cautiously, 
but  when  chosen  pursue  it  persist- 
ently. Character  is  the  true  measure 
of  success. 

Remarks.  The  greatest  obstacle 
which  presents  itself  to  the  young 
man  of  to-day  is  the  existence  of  the 
enormous  combinations  of  capital 
known  as  *'  trusts."  These  combina- 
tions, by  putting  vast  wealth  into  the 
hands  of  a  few  men,  are  directly 
productive  of  dissatisfaction  and  un- 
rest among  the  masses,  and  foster  a 
rankling  sense  of  inequality  and  in- 
justice which  seriously  threaten  open 
revolt  and  anarchy.  The  result  is 
such  a  temper  of  mind  as  that  which 
pervaded  the  lower  classes  in  France 
just  prior  to  the  Revolution  of  '93. 
More  serious,  however,  than  this  is 
the  fact  that  these  trusts  act  as  an 
almost  impassable  barrier  to  all  indi- 
vidual effort,  while  they  are  utterly 
relentless  in  crushing  out  all  opposi- 
tion. Each  employee  is  simply  a  single, 
and  usually  very  unimportant  factor, 
in  a  great  machine,  and,  unless  pos- 
sessed of  unusual  talent  or  ability, 
has  practically  no  opportunity  for 
advancement,  while  he  may  con- 
stantly see  those  no  better  than  him- 
self, or  perhaps  his  inferiors,  accorded 
choice  positions  through  mere  favorit- 
ism.   The  trust  stands  to-day  like  a 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


295 


Medusa  in  the  way  of  individual 
progress,  and  the  young  men  of  the 
present  should  earnestly  pray  for 
some  Perseus  to  bring  relief. 


Walter  G.  Berg 

New  York  City.     Chief    Engineer, 
Lehigh  Valley  R.R. 


1.  Good  education  and  hard  work, 
as  follows:  Thorough  college  and 
university  technical  education.  Early 
training  in  writing  for  publication,  and 
hence  facility  in  preparing  reports  on 
technical  investigations  and  general 
railroad  questions.  Thorough  train- 
ing in  mathematics,  as  I  taught  my 
way  through  college,  hence  ability  to 
cope  with  mathematical  problems,  and 
also  having  served  in  developing  and 
training  the  reasoning  faculties.  A 
general,  broad,  liberal  education,  in- 
cluding classics  and  foreign  languages, 
in  addition  to  considerable  travel 
abroad  and  in  this  country.  Contact 
with  bright  business  men,  lawyers, 
and  railroad  executive  officers  and 
managers.  After  entering  profes- 
sional practice,  constant  hard  work 
and  studying  to  keep  up  with  the  latest 
developments  of  professional  and  rail- 
road work. 

2.  Yes,  provided  the  preference 
does  not  indicate  a  passing  whim. 

3.  Most  desirable,  but  the  absence 
of  a  preliminary  preference  may  sub- 
sequently be  replaced  by  love  of  the 
work  which  is  much  better  than  a 
preliminary  preference. 

4.  A  boy  should  not  be  forced  into 
a  calling  if  his  preference  and  adapta- 
bility for  some  other  calling  is  strong 
and  his  choice  reasonable,  even  if  not 
strictly  in  accord  with  parents'  views. 

5.  Yes,  if  a  bright  boy  with  good 
education  and  plenty  of  energy  and 
determination  to  hang  on  'till  he  suc- 
ceeds. 

6.  No,  if  his  surroundings  are  con- 
genial and  the  outlook  fairly  good. 
A  happy  home  and  true  friends  are  a 
far  greater  factor  to  a  happy  life  than 
money-getting  in  a  great  city. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  This  is  a  hard  question  to  answer 
categorically.      Experience      creates 


knowledge,  hence  also  ability  of  a 
certain  degree.  Unusual  ability  will 
show  results  promptly  and  give  a 
shorter  probation  period  while  acquir- 
ing experience.  In  the  start  the  man 
with  experience  and  little  ability  will 
show  up  best.  In  the  end  the  man 
with  ability  will  forge  ahead  as  he 
gains  experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  A  business  college,  yes.  A  reg- 
ular college  course  to  be  followed  by 
a  business  course  of  a  high  grade  at 
some  university,  provided  his  parents 
can  give  him  this  class  of  education. 

14.  For  a  mechanical  trade,  no.  For 
a  mechanical  profession,  yes,  and  to 
be  followed  by  a  post-graduate  tech- 
nical training. 

15.  For  a  mechanical  trade,  go  to  a 
mechanical  trade  school.  For  a  me- 
chanical profession,  go  to  a  technical 
college. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes  and  no;  according  to  the 
sphere  in  life  he  properly  belongs  to. 

18.  This  depends  largely  on  the 
sphere  in  life  he  belongs  to  and 
whether  his  parents  can  give  him  the 
necessary  education. 

Questions  13  to  18  depend  in  each 
case  largely  on  the  personal  element, 
the  sphere  of  life,  the  environment, 
and  the  ability  of  parents  to  give  the 
necessary  education. 

19.  Yes,  after  mature  deliberation 
and  weighing  all  points  well. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  sticking  qualities  and 
determination  to  do  all  work,  what- 
ever it  may  be,  in  the  very  best 
manner. 

23.  Yes,  provided  not  sensational. 

24.  Never  at  first.  Learn  what 
strangers  demand  first  and  then  he 
will  appreciate  the  advantages  of  en- 
tering his  father's  business  later.  Go 
into  a  similar  line  of  business  with 
others  first. 

25.  When  starting  in  any  career,  or 
business,  in  an  humble  capacity,  do 
the  best  you  can,  never  mind  how 
small  or  insignificant  your  work  may 
seem.  Thereby  you  will  show  your 
employer  your  merit,  and  when  an 
opportunity  occurs,  you  will  be  ad- 
vanced. Further,  do  not  watch  the 
clock,  but  give  your  time  unhesitat- 
ingly to  your  work,  and  do  not  be- 
grudge your  employer  some  over-time 
if  you  can  thereby  clean  up  your 
day's  work. 


296 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Hon.  Charles  B.  Parwell 

Chicago,  111.  President,  The  John  V. 
Farwell  Co.,  wholesale  dry  goods. 
Ex-United  States  Senator. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  and  if  a  boy  has  it  not,  let 
him  adopt  it  as  a  policy. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  No. 

IX.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  because  he  will  get  experi- 
ence as  he  grows  older. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Want  of  judgment. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 


14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade  or  business,  not  profes- 
sion. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Want  of  steady  application. 

22.  Robinson  Crusoe;  Robin  Hood 
(Ryle);  Ivanhoe;  Masterman  Ready; 
John  Halifax,  Gentleman;  Wonder 
Book  (Hawthorne). 

23.  I  do  not  know  of  such  a  thing  as 
a  good  daily  paper. 

25.  Make  it  a  point  every  day  to  talk 
to  some  one  who  knows  more  than  you 
do. 


W.  E.  Baker 

New  York  City.    General  Superin- 
tendent, Manhattan  R.R. 


1.  Good  health,  good  training,  hard 
work. 

2.  Yes,  if  old  enough  to  be  sure  of 
his  preference  and  acquainted  with 
several  different  trades  or  professions. 

3-  No. 

4.  By  no  means  by  force.  If  in  the 
parent's  judgment  the  boy  is  well 
adapted  for  a  special  calling,  he  should 
endeavor  to  persuade.  Never  wise  to 
force. 

5.  Not  unless  he  has  a  special  reason 
or  pronounced  adaptability. 

6.  He  will  probably  do  as  well  to 
stay  where  he  is  unless  there  occurs 
some  special  opening. 

7.  No.  He  probably  cannot  be 
kept  on  farm  if  he  is  the  kind  that 
should  leave. 

8.  Yes,  but  it  must  be  accompanied 
by  tact. 

9.  Absolutely. 

10.  No. 

11.  Experience  without  ability  is  not 
of  itself  always  of  much  use. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 


Daniel  Pratt  Baldwin,  LL.D. 

Logansport,   Ind.     Lawyer.     Capi- 
talist.   Author. 


1.  Dogged  persistence.  I  am  nat- 
urally a  very  dull  man,  but  never  give 
up  when  I  undertake  a  thing. 

2.  By  all  means. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes  and  no;  depends  on  the  boy, 

6.  No. 

8.  Undoubtedly  " strict  integrity" 
is  necessary  for  success  in  life.  But 
this  word  "  strict "  gives  a  good  deal 
of  trouble,  for  we  are  constantly  deal- 
ing with  the  dishonest  and  the  tricky, 
and  we  are  not  compelled  to  cast 
pearls  before  swine,  lest  they  turn  and 
rend  us,  which  they  are  sure  to  do. 
On  the  other  hand,  in  dealing  with 
rogues,  we  must  avoid  rogues' 
methods,  and  yet  not  let  them  take 
advantage  of  our  honesty.  And  in  a 
community  where  the  standard  of 
morals  is  low,  it  will  not  do  to  "wear 
your  heart  upon  your  sleeve."  Per- 
haps a  sufficient  answer  to  this  would 
be:  "Be  honest  all  the  time,  but  be 
on  your  guard  with  the  dishonest  and 
never  allow  them  to  further  their 
iniquity  by  your  integrity." 

9.  IJndoubtedly. 

10.  No. 

11.  About  evenly  divided,  as  ability 
will  bring  experience,  but  not  of 
necessity  will  experience  bring  ability. 
I  answer,  ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


297 


15.  Yes,  if  he  can  without  too  great 
sacrifice. 

16.  No;  let  him  graduate  from  the 
High  School  of  his  town  or  city,  and 

(then  go  into  a  doctor's  or  lawyer's 
shop  at  18  years  of  age. 

17.  No. 

18.  Either  a  trade  or  a  business,  but 
not  a  profession. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Too  many  irons  in  the  fire.  Eter- 
nal vigilance  in  one  pursuit  is  the  price 
of  success. 

22.  The  New  Testament,  Shake- 
speare, Emerson's  Essays,  Franklin's 
Poor  Richard's  Maxims,  J.  R.  Greene's 
Short  History  of  the  English  People, 
Bryce's  American  Commonwealth. 

24.  That  depends  on  what  his 
father's  business  is. 

25.  Courage,  courtesy,  contentment. 


Rev.  James  L.  Barton,  D.D. 

Boston,  Mass.  Foreign  Secretary, 
American  Board  of  Commissioners 
for  Foreign  Missions.  Formerly  Presi- 
dent, Euphrates  College,  Harpoot, 
Turkey. 


1.  To  a  determination  not  to  under- 
take anything  that  was  not  worth 
finishing;  and  then,  not  to  abandon 
anything  once  begun  until  it  was  com- 
pleted. 

2.  Certainly,  if  he  is  sure  his  pref- 
erences have  good  ground  for  their 
existence. 

3.  Not  necessary,  but  desirable, 
otherwise  life  becomes  a  grind. 

4.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely,  for  genuine  success. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Ability,  for  it  will  command  ex- 
perience. 

12.  Yes,  for  inexperienced  ability 
soon  becomes  experienced,  even  with 
small  opportunity. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Not  ordinarily. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  I  would. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Possibly,  yes,  dependent  upon 
conditions  not  named. 

20.  Not  unless  it  were  a  rare  oppor- 
tunity. 


21.  Lack  of  attention  to  business. 

22.  The  Bible,  Pilgrim's  Progress, 
Robinson  Crusoe,  Life  of  Abraham 
Lincoln,  History  of  the  United  States, 
a  good  book  of  foreign  travel. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Never  attempt  to  deceive  any- 
body, much  less  yourselves.  Always 
do  your  best  and  keep  at  it.  Guard 
your  character  as  you  guard  your  life. 


Oliver  W.  Barnes 

New  York  City.  Civil  Engineer. 
Chief  Engineer  and  President,  New 
York  Connecting  R.R. 


1.  First,  ambition  to  rise  as  high  as 
possible  in  whatever  business  I  might 
undertake.  Second,  the  early  choice 
of  my  profession  after  I  had  an  insight 
into  elementary  mathematics,  and 
realized  that  the  business  of  a  civil 
engineer  was  founded  upon  mathe- 
matical science.  This  seemed  to  me 
to  be  the  highest  kind  of  mental  and 
physical  labor.    I  therefore  chose  it. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  I  think  it  very  unwise  to  force  a 
boy  into  a  business  as  a  life-time  em- 
ployment unless  he  has  a  preference 
for  it. 

5.  Not  unless  he  has  some  qualifica- 
tions for  business. 

6.  No,  it  is  always  better  for  a  man 
to  achieve  success  in  his  native  town. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes;  some  of  our  most  success- 
ful mechanics  owe  their  success  to  a 
few  months,  or  years,  in  a  technical 
school. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Yes;  a  trade  or  a  commercial 
business,  because  the  ambition  to  suc- 
ceed or  make  money  will  probably 
come  afterwards,  but  not  a  profession. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No,  because  he  can  generally 
make  himself  so  valuable  to  his  em- 


298 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


ployer    that    he    will   be    taken    into 
partnership  without  capital. 

21.  Want  of  business  ability. 

22.  Life  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  Life 
of  George  Washington,  History  of 
England,  History  of  America  and 
United  States,  any  good  farmer's 
book  or  work  on  agriculture,  Life  of 
George  Stevenson. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Look  around  you,  and  see  what 
is  going  on.  If  you  see  anything  you 
think  you  could  do  better  than  any- 
thing else,  take  hold  and  do  it.  Don't 
refuse  the  work  because  it  is  not  at 
first  as  well  paid  for  as  you  would 
like,  but  get  a  foothold,  and  compen- 
sation will  soon  come. 


Frederick  Booth -Tucker 

New  York  City.  Commander,  Sal- 
vation Army  in  the  United  States. 
Author. 


1.  Seeking  first  the  kingdom  of 
God  and  his  righteousness.  Endeavor- 
ing to  obey  God  the  first  time  He 
tells  me  to  do  anything.  Acting  on 
principle,  independently  of  feelings. 
Making  it  a  life  motto  that  "  The  joy 
of  joys  is  the  joy  that  joys  in  the  joy 
of  others."  Praying  with  my  watch, 
pen,  and  notebook;  my  watch  to  see 
that  I  give  God  sufficient  time;  my 
pen  and  notebook  to  stimulate  my 
faith,  expect  an  answer,  and  make  a 
note  of  any  instructions  God  might 
desire  to  give  me. 

2.  No;  let  the  boy  have  the  guid- 
ance of  the  experience,  wisdom,  and 
consecration  of  the  most  ripened  judg- 
ment available. 

3.  Preference  may  be  based  on 
mere  fancy.  Then  it  would  be  danger- 
ous to  follow.  Preference  based  on 
conscientious  conviction  and  guided 
by  deliberate  consecration  to  the  ser- 
vice of  God  and  humanity  is  very 
desirable. 

4.  As  a  rule,  the  boy  will  lack  the 
experience  and  judgment  necessary 
for  making  a  suitable  choice.  Very 
often  even  the  best  of  parents  them- 
selves lack  the  necessary  information, 
and  need  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
ripened  experience  of  some  abler 
mind. 

5.  This  depends  (a)  on  the  character 


and  gifts  of  the  boy,  (3)  on  the  nature 
of  the  soil;  in  four  cases  out  of  five  I 
should  advise  his  staying,  but  possi- 
bly finding  a  better  location.  In  case 
of  going  to  the  city  it  should  always 
be  under  suitable  protection  from 
vicious  influences. 

6.  In  my  opinion  every  boy  should 
sufficiently  familiarize  himself  with 
farming  to  be  able  to  dig  a  living  for 
himself  and  family  in  nature's  way,  if 
other  plans  should  fail.  Every  city 
boy  should  learn  the  rudiments  of 
farming. 

■7.  Every  effort  should  be  made  to 
keep  him  on  the  laud  by  making  the 
life  more  attractive  and  showing  him 
how  he  can  get  a  better  living  from  it. 

8.  Absolutely.  Dishonesty  is  like 
a  boomerang.  It  reacts  upon  a  man's 
own  character  and  destroys  his  self- 
respect.  He  despises  himself,  and 
when  others  find  him  out,  they  despise 
him,  too.  It  undermines  his  credit 
and  ruins  his  soul. 

9.  Most  decidedly.  The  definition 
of  genius  as  a  capacity  for  hard  work 
is  not  far  wide  of  the  mark.  The 
difference  between  success  and  failure 
often  depends  on  a  man's  use  of  his 
spare  time. 

10.  Love  the  object,  not  necessarily 
the  means  of  attaining  it.  A  man 
who  loves  God  and  souls  will  often 
force  himself  to  the  most  disagreeable 
tasks  in  prosecution  of  his  object. 

11.  Success  is  a  relative  term.  Cer- 
tain kinds  and  degrees  of  it  can  only 
be  achieved  by  means  of  both  ability 
and  experience.  Ability  lends  wings; 
experience  supplies  feet.  No  amount 
of  experience  will  make  up  for  lack  of 
ability  on  some  lines. 

12.  Very  frequently.  The  tendency 
of  experience  in  some  cases  is  to  over- 
caution.  Again,  in  treading  new  paths 
past  experience  has  often  nothing  to 
say. 

13.  There  are  colleges  and  colleges. 
The  more  knowledge  he  can  get  the 
better,  provided,  (a)  that  his  spiritual 
and  moral  interests  are  safeguarded; 
(6)  that  he  is  trained  to  the  service  of 
God  and  humanity;  and  {c)  that  he 
learns  the  science  of  "bread  and  but- 
ter-ology." 

14.  The  particular  trade  he  may  be 
learning  may  undergo  such  revolu- 
tions that  it  is  always  well  for  him  to 
have  an  extra  string  or  two  to  his  bow. 

15.  Under  suitable  protection  from 
evil  influences; 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


299 


16.  With  previous  qualifications. 

17.  Not  as  a  rule,  if  his  home  is  what 
it  should  be. 

18.  Teach  him  to  get  a  living  for 
himself  and  family  out  of  the  land. 
Make  him  realize  that  it  is  no  sin  to 
be  stupid,  or  to  be  only  "ordinary." 
All  cannot  be  clever,  but  all  may  be 
good. 

19.  In  farming,  yes ;  he  can  at  least 
get  a  comfortable  living.  In  business, 
no;  keen  competition  and  great  aggre- 
gations of  capital  will  make  it  difficult 
to  succeed. 

20.  Not  unless  his  ability  is  much 
above  the  average,  or  the  circum- 
stances are  specially  favorable,  as 
when  the  capital  belongs  to  some 
large  and  friendly  concern  which  will 
stand  by  him. 

21.  Selfishness,  the  worship  of  self 
in  one  form  or  another  rather  than 
the  worship  of  God  and  service  of 
humanity. 

22.  The  Bible,  General  Booth's  Dark- 
est England,  the  Life  of  Charles  G. 
Finney,  the  Life  of  John  Wesley, 
Every  Day  Religion  of  General  Booth, 
Revival  Lectures  of  Finney. 

23.  Not  more  than  one,  and  that  not 
habitually.  As  a  rule  some  good 
weekly  religious  paper,  like  the  Chris- 
tian Herald  or  Independent^  will  suffi- 
ciently supply  him  with  the  world's 
news. 

24.  An  excellent  plan  in  many,  if  not 
most,  businesses,  as  it  enables  the 
boy  to  become  an  expert.  Amongst 
the  Hindoos  every  boy  belongs  to  the 
'♦  caste  "  or  trade  of  his  father,  and  is 
compelled  to  learn  his  business. 

25.  Boys:  Don't  go  through  life 
without  a  purpose.  Let  God's  pur- 
pose for  you  be  your  own  purpose  for 
yourself.  Don't  neglect  your  soul. 
Save  it.  Then  save  as  many  others  as 
you  can.  Don't  make  man  your 
model,  self  your  goal.  Make  Christ 
your  model,  God  your  goal.  Go  win 
each  day  some  wayward  soul. 

Remarks.  Review  life  from  the 
standpoint  of  your  deathbed.  Live 
so  that  you  may  die,  regretted,  but 
without  regrets.  With  a  view  to  this 
you  will  find,  I  believe,  the  following 
simple  rules  helpful  :  (a)  Live  each 
year  as  though  it  were  going  to  be 
your  last  on  earth.  Let  it  be  your 
best.  Crowd  into  it  all  the  good  you 
can.  {b)  You  are  made  up  of  three 
parts:  soul,  mind,  body.  The  soul  is 
the  master,  the  mind  the  servant,  the 


body  the  house  in  which  they  live. 
You  cannot  neglect  one  without  in- 
juring the  other,  {c)  The  food  of  the 
soul  is  God,  prayer  is  its  meal-time, 
the  Bible  its  medicine  chest,  {d) 
Knowledge  is  the  food  of  the  mind. 
Acquire  all  the  useful  information 
you  can,  that  is,  whatever  will  help 
you  in  the  service  of  God  and  human- 
ity. But  beware  of  poisoning  your 
mind  with  the  foolish  and  unpractical 
notions  contained  in  fiction.  Don't 
try  and  be  the  ditto  of  somebody  else, 
dead  or  living.  Be  Yourself.  {e) 
Learn  the  science  of  bread  and  butter- 
ology;  how  to  get  a  modest  compe- 
tence for  yourself  and  family.  Famil- 
iarize yourself  with  God's  plan  for 
man — the  land  —  so  that  if  all  else 
fails  you  can  fall  back  upon  it.  (/) 
Don't  aim  at  being  a  millionaire.  An 
old  writer  says,  *' Riches  are  either 
wrongly  gotten,  wrongly  kept,  or 
wrongly  spent."  St.  Bernard  says, 
"  Why  aim  at  riches,  when  it  would  be 
your  duty,  as  you  valued  your  soul, 
to  distribute  every  cent  for  the  good 
of  others  which  you  did  not  require 
for  your  absolute  needs."  {g)  Make 
up  your  mind  that  you  cannot  really 
succeed  without  God.  Take  your  re- 
ligion into  your  business,  your  home, 
your  library,  your  correspondence, 
your  conversation.    Be  a  man  of  God. 


Wm.  DeWitt  Hyde,  D.D.,  LL.D. 

Brunswick,  Maine.   President,  Bow- 
doin  College. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  feels  discontented. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Not  every  boy. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  the  father  respects  the  boy's 
individuality,  yes;  if  not,  no. 


300 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Charles  R.  Dudley 

Denver,  Colo.  Librarian,  Denver 
Public  Library.  Regent,  Colorado 
State  University.  Secretary,  State 
Historical  Society. 


1.  Continuity  of  purpose. 

2.  Not  always.  His  view  may 
change. 

3-  No. 

4.  It  depends  largely  on  the  par- 
ents' insight  into  the  boy's  character. 

5.  Why  not  try  a  small  city  or  a  big 
town? 

6.  No. 

7.  Yes ;  until  something  better  turns 
up. 

8.  No ;  this  is  merely  from  observa- 
tion, of  course. 

9.  In  most  cases.  There  are  gen- 
iuses who  simply  plan  for  others. 
Then  again  there  is  luck. 

10.  No. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  if  ability  is  great. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  the  expense. 

14.  Not  in  the  classical  department. 

15.  If  he  can  afford  the  expense. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  In  many  cases. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Ignorance  of  the  relations  that 
should  exist  between  income  and 
outgo. 

23.  Yes,  and  also,  a  weekly. 

24.  Yes. 


Hon.  Theodore  Brantly 

Helena,  Montana.  Chief  Justice, 
Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Mon- 
tana. 


1.  Hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessarily  so. 

4.  No. 

5.  No.    I  would  advise  him  to  stay 
in  the  country. 

6.  No. 

7.  If  he  can  be  persuaded  to  remain. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily  so.   I  have  never 
loved  any  kind  of  work. 

11.  There    must    be    some    ability. 
Then  experience  is  the  great  teacher. 


12.  One  having  ability  can  acquire 
experience  and  hence  success. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes,  after  he  has  acquired  a 
good  academic  education. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  I  think  such  a  boy  should  serve 
under  a  master. 

20.  Depends  upon  circumstances; 
in  many  cases,  yes. 

21.  Dishonesty  and  inattention  to 
business. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Depends  upon  circumstances. 
Boy  should  generally  follow  his  bent. 

25.  Be  honest  and  industrious  in 
business.  Be  clean  in  private  life. 
Observe  the  Golden  Rule. 


Henry  M.  Utley,  A.  M. 

Detroit,  Mich.  Librarian,  Detroit 
Public  Library.  Formerly  president, 
American  Library  Association. 


1.  Earnest  attention  to  the  busi- 
ness in  hand,  and  thoroughness  in 
every  detail. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  in  him  the  making 
of  a  man. 

6.  Probably  not. 

7.  Depends  upon  what  kind  of  a 
boy  he  is.  If  cut  out  for  a  farmer,  let 
him  stay  on  the  farm ;  otherwise  not. 

8.  Not  for  temporary  success,  but 
it  certainly  pays  in  the  long  run. 

9.  Yes,  to  the  highest  success. 

10.  Yes,  for  the  highest  success. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  It  is  inconceivable  that  success 
can  be  achieved  without  experience. 
Ability  is  the  main  thing. 

13.  If  he  has  the  means  and  disposi- 
tion a  little  college  training  will  be 
very  useful. 

14.  Same  answer  as  to  No.  13. 

15.  Surely,  if  he  can  do  so. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  No. 

18.  Depends  on  the  boy.  If  he  is 
very  ordinary,  the  lowest  grade  of 
occupation  would  seem  naturally  best 
suited  to  him. 

19.  This  question  is  intensely  com- 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


301 


plicated,  nowadays,  by  the  strong 
tendency  to  combinations  in  nearly 
all  lines  of  business. 

20.  Very  doubtful. 

21.  Lack  of  ability. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  has  taste  and  aptitude 
for  it. 

25.  Choose  your  work  prayerfully, 
if  you  are  able  to  control  circum- 
stances, and  then  give  to  it  the  best 
there  is  in  you. 


20.  He  might  succeed  one  time  in  a 
thousand  and  break  down  physically. 

21.  Lack  of  experience.  We  shall 
all  do  better,  or  the  most  of  us,  if  they 
will  give  us  another  70  years. 

23.  Yes,  if  there  is  one. 

24.  Let  father  and  son  arrange  that. 

25.  Be  good  and  do  good.  "  Whate'er 
that  man  was  sot  to  do,  he  done  his 
level  best." 


E.  S.  Willcox 

Peoria,  111.  Librarian,  Peoria  Public 
Library. 


1.  (a)  To  an  honest,  industrious,  in- 
telligent ancestry  on  both  sides,  {b)  To 
my  early  life  as  a  farmer's  son.  {c)  To 
an  ambition  to  enter  a  wider  field  of 
activity,  {d)  To  a  good  college  edu- 
cation. (<?)  To  hard  work.  (/)  To 
good  habits,  no  vices,  {g)  To  a  good 
wife. 

2.  What  can  a  boy  know  beforehand 
as  to  which  of  them  all  he  would  wish 
later  in  life  he  had  chosen?  Let  him 
investigate  well,  then  decide  boldly. 

3.  No.  We  soon  learn  they  are  all 
hard,  full  of  unknown  difficulties. 
Sterling  qualities  in  the  boy  will  win 
success  in  the  most  of  them. 

4.  No. 

6.  Hardly,  but  that  also  depends 
on  tastes  and  fitness  and  previous 
education. 

7.  I  thought  not  in  my  case,  and 
my  father  sent  me  to  college. 

8.  Of  course;  absolutely. 

9.  One  of  the  important  elements 
in  winning  success. 

10.  Fairly  well,  as  well  as  any  kind 
of  work. 

11.  Both  necessary,  a  double  team. 

12.  Not  likely. 

13.  I  should  advise  my  sons  to  go  to 
college  no  matter  what. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No,  but  should  try  to  influence 
his  will  a  little.  It  could  be  done  in 
many  cases. 

18.  I  should  advise  him  to  enlist  in 
the  United  States  Army  or  under 
some  good  leader,  or  guide,  among 
men. 

19.  Depends.    Not  before  thirty. 


George  H.  Barbour 

Detroit,  Mich.  Vice-president  and 
general  manager,  Michigan  Stove  Co. 
Director,  People's  Savings  Bank,  Dime 
Savings  Bank,  Michigan  Trust  Co., 
Michigan  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance 
Co.,  Buck  Stove  and  Range  Co.,  of  St. 
Louis ;  and  Detroit  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. 


1.  Close  attention  to  business,  asso- 
ciating myself  with  desirable  partners, 
making  acquaintance  with  the  best  of 
business  men,  and  endeavoring  to 
leave  a  good  impression  with  every 
one  I  became  acquainted  with. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  always  necessary,  but  I 
think  his  preference  should,  be  sup- 
ported if  possible. 

4.  In  m  y  opinion  no  greater  mistake 
can  be  made  than  to  force  a  boy  against 
his  will,  provided  he  selects  a  calling 
that  is  honorable. 

5.  No,  unless  some  relative  or  friend 
can  take  him  and  watch  over  him. 

6.  My  answer  to  this  would  depend 
entirely  on  the  boy;  some  boys  can 
stand  a  city  life  and  some  can  be 
quickly  ruined. 

7.  No;  he  should  be  encouraged  to 
follow,  and  assisted  in  every  way,  to 
take  up  the  lines  he  approves  of. 

8.  Yes,  in  every  case. 

9.  No  one  can  succeed  and  go  to 
the  front  without  close  application  to 
the  work  he  is  engaged  in. 

10.  One  will  succeed  better  if  he  is 
in  love  with  his  work,  but  I  believe  one 
can  be  somewhat  successful  on  other 
lines. 

11.  Both  are  necessary  to  success; 
ability  is  a  good  thing,  but  one  must 
have  some  experience. 

12.  This  question  should  answer 
itself.  Ability  is  a  requisite,  but  with 
experience  it  would  accomplish  much 
more. 


302 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


13.  If  he  has  had  a  good  business 
education  I  do  not  consider  a  college 
education  necessary  to  enter  business, 
but  one  cannot  receive  too  much 
education. 

14.  If  possible,  yes;  a  school  of 
mechanical  training  is  certainly  very 
desirable. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  wants  to  place  himself 
in  a  position  that  he  can  class  as  Ai. 

16.  By  all  means. 

17.  No.  I  cannot  see  anything  to 
be  gained  unless  the  boy  is  interested. 

18.  Either  a  trade,  or  some  light 
business,  if  very  ordinary. 

19.  Yes,  if  conditions  favored;  that 
is,  if  there  was  a  fair  prospect  of 
success. 

20.  No,  unless  the  prospects  were 
some  guarantee  of  success. 

21.  Bad  management ;  lack  of  atten- 
tion to  business;  and,  perhaps,  ex- 
travagant methods. 

23.  Yes,  provided  the  selection  was 
good;  would  exclude  yellow  journals; 
select  papers  that  could  go  into  the 
family. 

24.  No  objections,  provided  the  busi- 
ness is  well  established  and  future 
prospects  looked  favorable. 

25.  First,  be  upright  and  honest. 
Second,  keep  in  good  company;  allow 
nothing  to  be  said  against  your  char- 
acter. Third,  rather  associate  5rourself 
with  a  first-class  business  institution, 
at  a  low  salary,  at  the  start,  than  to 
accept  a  high  salary  with  a  firm  whose 
reputation  for  business  dealings  was 
not  up  to  the  standard. 


John  Cotton  Dana 

Newark,  N.  J.  Librarian,  Free  Pub- 
lic Library.  Ex-president,  American 
Library  Association. 


1.  External  factors:  home  and 
parents,  education.  Personal  factors : 
health,  brains,  personal  appearance, 
friends. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  a  pronounced  preference 
shown  very  early  in  life,  and  not  al- 
ways quite  necessary. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  in  most  cases,  though  not 
necessarily  in  a  great  city. 

6.  Not  the  average  boy;  the  unusu- 
ally smart  boy,  yes. 


7.  No. 

8.  Not  pulpit  taught  "honesty," 
but  the  honesty  of  the  "  custom  of  the 
business." 

9.  Yes ;  not  necessarily,  if  you  mean 
money  vsuccess. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Not  often. 

13.  If  he  likes  letters  pretty  well, 
yes. 

14.  Not  usually. 

15.  If  fairly  clever,  yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Depends;  quite  often,  yes. 

21.  Lack  of  native  ability. 

22.  After  the  Bible  six  good  books 
are  Arabian  Nights,  Fiske's  Civil 
Government,  Fronde's  Life  of  Caesar, 
Emerson's  Essays,  Hugo's  Les  Mis6r- 
ables,  first  and  second  series  of 
Besant's  "  Ready-Money"  Mortiboy. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Keep  your  eyes  open.  Get  in- 
terested in  many  things.  Do  the  same 
wrong  thing  only  once.  Admit  your 
limitations.  Work  your  special  ability 
for  all  it  is  worth. 


Arthur  H. 


Tomlinson 

Swath- 


Swathmore,   Pa.    Principal 
more  Preparatory  School. 


1.  Early  parental  training  in  hon- 
esty, persistence,  and  faith;  and  a 
good  wife. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No.  Sometimes,  however,  a 
boy's  preference  is  due  to  a  one-sided 
view  of  things.  The  parent  should  be 
able  to  convert  him. 

5.  Yes,  or  to  a  small  one. 

6.  No. 

7.  Likes  are  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent cultivated.  Effort  should  be 
made  to  develop  a  liking;  failing  in 
this  he  should  be  allowed  to  go,  if 
there  is  evidence  he  will  go  wisely. 

8.  Yes;  to  any  real  or  lasting  suc- 
cess. 

9.  Yes;  to  any  real  or  lasting  suc- 
cess. 

10.  Not  necessarily  at  first,  but  he 
must  grow  to  love   it.    One  may,  if 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


303 


necessary,  grow  to  love  work  that,  at 
first,  was  disliked. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  No. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Advise  him    to    cultivate  some 
ambition.    Trade. 

19.  Yes;  without  the  capital,  no. 

20.  Not     entirely     borrowed.      He 
should  have  half  the  capital  usually. 

21.  In  business,  lack  of  honesty,  and 
lack  of  proper  capital. 

23.  If  he  will  read  discriminately. 

24.  Circumstances  and  the  kind  of 
boy  must  largely  determine  this. 


Frank  B.  Tobey 

Chicago,   111.     Furniture  manufac- 
turer. 


1.  If  I  can  be  called  a  successful 
merchant,  I  should  attribute  it  largely 
to  the  lessons  of  economy  and  indus- 
try learned  on  a  somewhat  sterile 
Massachusetts  farm. 

2.  I  would. 

3.  Generally,  but  not  always. 
'4.  I  do  not. 

5.  If  he  shows  a  good  average  ca- 
pacity for  business,  yes. 

6.  Yes,  if  he  shows  an  unusual 
capacity  for  business. 

7.  If  he  dislikes  farming  because  he 
dislikes  work,  then  he  might  as  well 
be  kept  on  the  farm.  Otherwise  he 
should  not  be. 

8.  I  have  known  dishonest  men  to 
get  rich,  but  one  of  the  best  founda- 
tions for  a  successful  business  career 
is  strict  honesty.  One  should  be  hon- 
est, however,  anyway. 

9.  Most  decidedly. 

10.  I  have  known  men  to  make  a 
great  success  in  a  business  that  they 
did  not  like,  but  it  is  better  that  they 
should  love  their  work. 

11.  Ability,  because  with  that  one 
knows  how  to  utilize  experience. 

12.  Yes,  for  the  reason  given  above. 

13.  Not  necessarily. 

14.  I  would  send  him  to  some  tech- 
nical school. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  That  would  depend  on  the  rea- 
sons he  gave  for  not  entering  college. 

18.  Would  advise  him  to  enter  a 
trade. 


19.  Yes. 

20.  With  a  fair  salary  and  good  pros- 
pects for  a  satisfactory  promotion,  I 
would  not. 

21.  Personal  extravagance,  and  I 
might  add,  lack  of  ability,  specula- 
tion, and  being  too  ready  to  incur 
indebtedness. 

23.  Most  decidedly. 


Hon.  Joseph  V.  Quarles 

Milwaukee,     Wis.      United    States 
Senator  from  Wisconsin.     Lawyer. 


1.  Adaptation  to  my  profession, 
backed  by  unflinching  industry. 

2.  Certainly. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

6.  Everything  depends  on  the  boy, 
his  natural  gifts,  tendencies,  tempera- 
ment, and  local  situation. 

7.  Not  if  he  has  ability  in  any  other 
line. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Most  certainly. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  They  are  both  factors  in  the 
problem.    I  cannot  separate  them. 

12.  It  must  be  so,  or  no  young  man 
could  ever  succeed. 

13.  Yes,  if  possible. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Certainly. 

17.  No. 

18.  Either  a  trade  or  a  business  best 
adapted  to  his  taste.  Certainly  not 
any  profession. 

21.  Lack  of  application. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Ordinarily,  yes. 

25.  If  you  would  succeed,  work! 


Rev.  Joseph  B.  Clark,  D.D. 

New  York  City.    Secretary,  Congre- 
gational Home  Missionary  Society. 


I.  I  have  thought  little  of  success. 
Never  have  sought  it  with  any  dis- 
tinct effort.  Have  loved  work  for  its 
own  sake,  and  found  the  chief  pleas- 
ure of  life  in  making  something  come 
to  pass.  I  have  worked  hard,  but  can- 
not call  that  a  virtue,  since  nothing  is 
more  welcome  than  work,  and  no  con- 


304 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


dition    more   wretched   than   having 
nothing  to  do. 

2.  Yes;  other  things  being  equal, 
success  lies  along  the  line  of  least 
resistance. 

3.  Yes,  but  a  moderate  preference 
may  be  cultivated. 

4.  Nature  is  a  better  guide  than 
such  a  parent. 

5.  He  must  follow  the  people ;  the 
fisherman  must  follow  the  fish. 

6.  I  would  advise  him  to  begin  in 
the  town  and  run  over  into  the  city  if 
he  can. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely,  for  real  success. 

9.  Nothing  more  so. 

10.  Absolutely. 

11.  Experience  with  industry  will 
win. 

12.  Not  the  most  solid. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  To  both  college  and  technical 
school  if  possible. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  I  would  urge  him  to  try  it.  A 
boy  knows  nothing  of  college  but  by 
trial. 

18.  He  must  learn  to  do  something, 
or  he  is  a  burden. 

19.  Yes,  he  ought  to  advance. 

20.  Doubtful ;  debt  is  hell. 

21.  The  square  man  in  the  round 
hole. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Not  unless  he  has  a  preference 
for  it  as  a  business. 

25.  "  Slow  and  sure  and  steady  "are 
the  winning  cards  in  the  game  of  life. 
The  "Joker "is  good,  if  you  have  it; 
but  genius,  the  Joker,  is  a  rare  bird, 
and  an  uncertain  reliance. 


Healy  Cady  Akeley 

Minneapolis,  Minn.  President,  H. 
C.  Akeley  Lumber  Co.,  Itasca  Lum- 
ber Co.,  Flour  City  National  Bank, 
Metropolitan  Trust  Co.    Lawyer. 


1.  Tenacity  of  purpose. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  If  he  has  ambition  and  capacity, 
yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 


9- 
10. 
II. 
12. 

13- 
14. 

15- 
16. 

17- 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
thine 
22. 

23. 
24. 

25- 

it. 


Yes. 

To  get  the  best  results,  yes. 

Ability. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

No. 

A  trade. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Thinking    borrowed    capital    is 

own,  and  spending  it. 

The  Bible,  Shakespeare. 

Yes. 

No. 

Start  at  something,  and  stick  to 


0.  L.  Whitelaw 

St.  Louis,  Mo.  Whitelaw  Bros., 
Importers.  President,  National 
Transportation  Association. 


1.  A  good  parentage;  a  physical 
stamina,  developed  by  living  my  first 
18  years  on  a  Vermont  farm;  an 
honest  endeavor  to  fill  each  position 
to  the  best  of  my  ability;  taking 
proper  advantage  of  all  opportunities. 

2.  Yes,  provided  all  the  circum- 
stances seem  to  justify  it. 

3.  No,  one  may  be  mistaken  as  to 
his  adaptability. 

4.  Would  consider  it  ver)^  unwise 
on  the  part  of  parent,  provided  the 
calling  was  honorable  and  legitimate. 

5.  Yes;  think  right  kind  of  boy  is 
most  sure  to  do  this  as  his  only 
chance, 

6.  Good,  honest,  intelligent  boys 
are  in  demand.  Think  chances 
equally  good  wherever  there  are 
openings. 

7.  No,  unless  he  were  permitted  to 
attend  some  good  agricultural  college, 
where  a  taste  for,  and  the  importance 
of,  his  calling  might  change  his  views. 

8.  Absolutely;  often  the  only  capi- 
tal the  young  man  possesses. 

9.  Sure;  the  boy  who  is  trying  to 
see  how  little  he  can  do  and  earn  his 
salary  cannot  succeed. 

10.  One  must  be  willing  and  love  to 
work. 

11.  Hard    to    say.    Both    combined 
make  success. 

12.  Yes;    ability    and   perseverance 
bring  success. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  305 


13.  College  education  is  a  luxury. 
If  boy's  parents  can  give  him  an  edu- 
oaflon,and  sustain  him,  'till  established 
in  business,  yes. 

14.  No;  present  manual  training  and 
technical  schools  better,  unless  he 
can  secure  same  aid  as  in  No.  13. 

15.  Yes,  if  possible. 

16.  Most  assuredly. 

17.  No;  it  might  prevent  his  dis- 
tinguishing himself  in  some  congenial 
calling. 

18.  Such  a  boy  would  be  safer  to 
master  some  trade. 

19.  Yes,  providing  the  business  was 
of  such  a  nature  that  hard  work  and 
application  would  bring  returns. 

20.  Usually  unsafe.  Depends  upon 
three  things,  the  young  man,  the 
opening,  and  the  money-lender. 

21.  Inability,  which  means  inex- 
perience, shiftlessness,  and  lack  of 
self-reliance. 

23.  Yes,  and  good  weekly  papers  as 
well. 

24.  Yes,  if  his  inclinations  are  strong 
in  same  direction,  but  enter  it  on 
exactly  same  basis  as  any  other 
employ^. 

25.  Be  strong,  true,  and  faithful; 
strive  to  develop  the  best  in  you. 
Avoid  all  evil  tendencies.  Your  best 
capital  is  character.  Never  in  the 
history  of  the  world  was  there  such 
need  for  upright,  conscientious  young 
manhood  as  in  the  beginning  of  the 
Twentieth  Century;  never  a  time  of 
greater  opportunity,  nor  when  one 
can  make  his  life  count  for  so  much. 


Palmer  C.  Ricketts 

President,    Rensselaer  Polytechnic 
Institute,   Troy,   N.  Y. 


1.  Work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Trade  school. 


16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Laziness. 

22.  Two,  the  Bible  and  Shakespeare, 
suggest  themselves;  it  is  difficult  to 
confine  one's  self  to  a  choice  of  four 
from  the  remainder. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Work  hard  and  be  honest. 


Hon.  Ralph  P.  Quarles 

Boise  City,    Idaho.     Chief    Justice, 
Supreme  Court  of  Idaho. 


1.  Industry,  sobriety,  and  strict 
application  to  business. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No.  I  speak  from  experience.  I 
did  not  follow  the  bent  of  my  own 
inclination  in  this  respect. 

4.  No.  Such  action  is  liable  to 
exercise  a  harmful  influence  over  the 
boy's  after  life. 

5.  Sometimes  I  would,  but  usually 
I  would  not. 

6.  It  would  depend  altogether  on 
his  environment,  habits  of  life,  educa- 
tion, particular  line  of  business,  etc. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Usually,  yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Abstractly,  no.  Success  is  only 
accomplished  by  effort  or  experiment. 
Limited  experience  coupled  with  abil- 
ity is  more  likely  to  bring  success 
than  much  experience. 

13.  No;  an  academic  education  is 
preferable,  as  it  tends  to  the  practical. 

14.  No,  but  I  would  advise  a  good 
liberal  education. 

15.  No. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  First,  a  trade;  second,  business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Usually,  I  would  not. 

21.  Lack  of  ability  supplemented  by 
carelessness. 

22.  The  Bible,  Pilgrim's  Progress, 
Shakespeare,  Gibbon's  History  of 
Roman  Empire,  Macaulay's  History 
of  England,  Ridpath's  History  of  the 
United  States. 


3o6 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  he  likes  it;  otherwise,  no. 

25.  Be  honest,  truthful,  industrious, 
kind  and  courteous  to  others.  Let 
other  people's  business  alone,  but 
attend  to  yours  with  promptness  and 
fidelity. 

Remarks.  Boys:  Entering  upon 
the  threshold  of  manhood,  success  is 
open  to  you,  but  your  success  depends 
upon  your  own  efforts.  You  should 
first  learn  the  lesson  of  self-reliance. 
Learn  and  practice  economy.  Have 
sufficient  courage  at  all  times  to  do 
that  which  you  know  to  be  your  duty. 
Never  shrink  from  an  unpleasant 
duty.  Respect  yourself  and  others 
will  respect  you.  Never  go  where  you 
would  object  to  find  your  mother  or 
sister  or  sweetheart.  Kind  words 
spoken  at  the  right  time  are  jewels 
that  enrich  the  giver  and  the  donee. 
Whenever  a  kindly  sympathy  is  felt 
by  you,  do  not  "  button  it  up  in  your 
heart,"  but  give  it  expression.  Little 
acts  of  kindness,  delicate  expressions 
of  sympathy  with  tfie  afflictions  of 
others,  make  the  world  brighter  and 
make  your  own  life  sweeter  and  hap- 
pier. Be  kind;  be  sympathetic;  be 
just  to  all.  Remember  that  a  clear 
conscience  is  more  desirable  than 
riches;  that  the  consciousness  of  hav- 
ing done  unto  others  as  you  would 
have  them  do  to  you,  is  the  greatest 
reward  that  any  one  can  attain.  It 
is  the  small  things  that  worry;  it  is 
the  little  things  which,  when  properly 
attended  to,  bring  success,  and  which, 
when  neglected,  cause  failure.  Every 
day  of  our  lives  we  are  forging  fetters 
which  bind  us  to  success  or  to  slavery. 
Habits  are  easily  formed.  If  pains- 
taking, they  are  carrying  us  forward 
to  success;  if  careless,  they  are  drag- 
ging us  down  to  defeat.  Habits  are 
easily  formed,  but  not  easily  thrown 
off.  Form  your  habits  along  correct 
lines.  Always  have  due  regard  for 
the  rights  and  feelings  of  others.  You 
admire  the  intellectual ;  cultivate  your 
intellect.  You  admire  virtue;  be  vir- 
tuous. You  admire  patriotism;  be 
patriotic.  You  admire  sobriety;  be 
sober.  You  admire  politeness  and 
courtesy;  be  polite  and  courteous. 
Practice  what  you  preach.  No  differ- 
ence how  humble  your  station  in  life 
may  be,  you,  and  you  alone,  can  make 
it  successful.  You  may  not  know  it, 
but  the  probability  is  that  you  are  the 
ideal  of  some  boy  younger  than  your- 


self, who  is  watching  your  footsteps 
and  following  them.  Be  careful  where 
your  steps  lead.  You  are  in  more 
respects  than  one  your  brother's 
keeper.  This  fact  brings  responsi- 
bilities that  cannot  be  shunned.  It  is 
in  your  power  to  make  the  world 
better  and  brighter.  Teach,  not  only 
by  precept,  but  by  example.  Be  hon- 
est, sober,  industrious,  attentive  to 
your  own  business,  kind  to  others, 
and  success  is  yours.  Be  brave;  it 
often  requires  great  courage  to  per- 
form a  simple  duty.  It  is  easy  for 
you  to  succeed.     Will  you  not  do  so  ? 


C.  A.  Coffin 


Boston,  Mass.    C.  A.  Coffin  &  Co., 
shoe  manufacturers. 


1.  Industry  and    a    reputation  for 
fairness. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessary,  but  very  desir- 
able. 

4.  No. 

5.  He  should  go  where  opportunity 
lies. 

6.  He  should  start  where  he  can. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

la  He  should  do  so. 

11.  One  is  necessary;  both  desirable. 

12.  Certainly;  experience  always 
comes;  nobody  starts  with  it. 

13.  He  should  decide,  largely. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  it. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Either  a  trade  or  profession. 

19.  Yes,  but  young  men  are  gener- 
ally without  experience. 

20.  Certainly. 

21.  Trying  to  do  things  beyond 
their  ability  and  experience,  and 
generally  poor  judgment. 

22.  The  best  histories  and  biogra- 
phies; the  best  fiction  and  the  best 
poets;  six,  or  more. 

23.  Certainly. 

24.  No  rule  can  be  laid  down  for 
this;  if  room  for  him,  yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  temperate,  industri- 
ous, modest,  and  in  all  things  impar- 
tial, and  to  all  men  fair.  Avoid 
speculation. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


307 


Francis  Blake 

Weston,    Mass.       Inventor,    Blake 
Telephone  Transmitter. 


1.  Coincidence  of  opportunity  and 
ability  to  do  useful  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  in  general,  in  spite  of  Jay 
Goulds,  Boss  Tweeds,  and  Crokers. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  In  general,  yes. 

11.  It  seems  to  me  that  experience 
is  necessary  to  the  demonstration  of 
ability. 

12.  No;  for  the  reason  stated  in 
answer  to  No.  11. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Not  until  he  is  convinced  that 
his  salaried  position  will  not  lead  to  a 
partnership  with  his  employer. 

21.  Neglect  to  treat  the  most  humble 
employment  as  an  opportunity  to 
prove  one's  fitness  for  more  impor- 
tant work. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Not  until  he  has  had  preliminary 
experience  under  one  who  would  be 
likely  to  be  an  impartial  master. 

25.  I  have  known  many  young  men 
of  ambition  and  ability  —  graduates 
of  colleges  or  technical  schools —  who 
were  discouraged  at  the  beginning  of 
their  professional  or  business  careers 
by  a  notion  that  the  duties  assigned 
to  them  were  such  as  should  have 
been  assigned  to  persons  of  much  less 
education  and  ability  than  they  them- 
selves possessed.  My  advice  in  such 
cases  has  been,  invariably,  "Exert 
yourself  to  the  utmost  of  your  abili- 
ties in  the  performance  of  the  most 
humble  duties  assigned  to  you,  to  the 
end  that  you  may  win  the  favorable 
notice  of  those  above  you,  upon  whose 
kind  offices  your  future  advancement 
must  depend  ;  "  and  I  recall  several 
instances  in  which  the  acceptance  of 
this  advice  has  led  to  brilliant  success. 
Strive  to  maintain  a  strong  mind  in  a 


strong  body;  and  let  your  whole  per- 
sonality be  exerted  to  its  utmost 
ability  in  the  faithful  and  scrupulously 
honest  discharge  of  whatever  duties 
you  may,  for  the  time  being,  be  called 
upon  to  perform. 

Remarks,  in  connection  with 
Question  6,  I  cite  a  remark  made  to 
me  by  the  proprietor  of  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  successful  shops  in 
Boston,  to  the  effect  that  if  he  desired 
to  give  his  son  the  best  preparation 
for  business  life,  he  would  place  him 
for  a  time  in  an  old-fashioned  "coun- 
try store,"  where  an  opportunity  is 
afforded  to  gain  a  knowledge  of  busi- 
ness in  an  "all-around"  way; 
whereas,  in  the  modern  department 
store  of  a  big  city,  the  division  of 
labor  and  duties  is  so  much  developed, 
that  a  young  man  employed  therein 
has  no  more  opportunity  to  acquire  a 
general  business  training  than  the 
worker  at  a  bench  in  the  watch  fac- 
tory has  to  acquire  the  art  of  making 
a  watch. 


Hon.  Charles  N.  Herreid 


Eureka,     So.    Dak. 
South  Dakota. 


Governor    of 


1.  A  strong,  vigorous  constitution 
and  good  health;  the  right  kind  of 
newspapers  and  books  to  read  while 
a  boy;  the  belief  while  a  boy  of  10  or 
12  years  of  age  that  if  I  could  only 
obtain  a  college  education,  and  get 
out  into  the  wide  world,  I  would  get 
away  from  the  terrible  drudgery  and 
grinding,  never-ending  hard  work  of 
frontier  farm  life;  a  healthy,  moral 
atmosphere,  and  the  influence  of 
pious  parents. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

5.  Depends  on  what  kind  of  a  boy 
it  is. 

6.  No. 

7.  Yes,  unless  he  can  clearly  hope 
to  do  better. 

8.  A  thousand  times,  yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  necessarily.. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yesu 

15.  Yes. 


3o8 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


i6.  Yes. 

17.  Yes. 

18.  A  trade  or  business. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Depends  on  circumstances. 

21.  Lack  of  good  judgment. 

22.  The  Bible,  Pilgrim's  Progress, 
Stories  of  Great  Americans  for  Little 
Americans  (Eggleston),  Black  Beauty, 
Robinson  Crusoe,  What  a  Young  Boy 
Ought  to  Know  (Stall). 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  but  so  much  depends  on 
circumstances  of  each  case. 

25.  Strenuously  observe  the  laws  of 
nature  and  God. 


1.  Faithful  performance  of  duty, 
step  by  step  and  day  by  day  as  it 
comes.  "Be  thou  faithful  in  small 
things  and  I  will  make  thee  ruler 
over  manjr,"  (or  words  to  that  effect). 

2.  Yes,  if  possible. 

3.  No,  but  desirable. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No,  not  at  first;  succeed  far 
enough  to  have  connections  in  a  large 
city,  then  the  future  will  open  up. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes;  sharpers  may  succeed  ap- 
parently better,  but  in  the  end  over- 
reach themselves ;  sturdy  honesty  will 
succeed  permanently  now  as  ever. 

9.  Absolutely.  Most  so-called 
genius  is  simply  capacity  for  work. 

10.  Not  necessarily;  dogged  appli- 
cation will  succeed. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  gains  the  necessary  ex- 
perience while  accomplishing  success. 

13.  If  it  be  possible;  all  knowledge 
comes  in  play,  but  the  college  course 
can  be  adapted  to  the  future  needs  in 
business. 

14.  Not  for  the  usual  academic 
course,  yet  Latin  and  modern  lan- 
guages are  invaluable  in  any  life; 
Latin  for  chemistry;  other  languages 
for  trade. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  so  as  to  be  thorough.  A 
self-made  man  (all  credit  to  him)  is 
yet  often  ill  made. 


17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Probably,  but  dangerous  to  ad- 
vise on  this  line. 

20.  No. 

21.  Over-estimation  of  one's  own 
abilities. 

22.  The  Bible,  Charles  Kingsley's 
novels. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  truthful,  loyal  to  friends, 
helpful  to  others;  never  put  off  'till 
to-morrow  what  may  be  done  to-day; 
no  matter  what  your  income  save 
something;  go  to  church  once  on 
Sunday. 


Colonel  Theodore  A.  Bingham 

U.  S.  Army,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Military  Aide  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States. 


Elisha  Rhodes  Brown 

President,  Strafford  Savings  Bank, 
Dover,  N.  H. 


1.  Faith  in  God,   faith  in  myself, 
and  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Perhaps  not  necessary,  but  de- 
sirable. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely  so. 

9.  I  certainly  do. 

10.  He  at  least  would  be  much  more 
likely  to  be  successful. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Doubtful;  ability  is  a  gift,  and 
is  strengthened  and  enlarged  by  ex- 
perience. 

13.  Yes,  if  possible. 

14.  If  time  and  means  permit,  yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Might;  it  would  depend  upon 
the  circumstances. 

21.  Incompetence. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  clean  in  your  thoughts, 
words,  and  habits,  and  charitable  in 
your  judgments  of  others;  put  your 
best  efforts  into  all  your  work,  and 
do  not  fear  that  it  will  not  be  appre- 
ciated; let  your  word  once  pledged  be 
kept  at  any  sacrifice,  and  keep  your 
integrity  above  suspicion.    Send  for  a 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience 


309 


copy  of  "A  Message  to  Garcia,"  and 
read  it  often. 


Arthur  M.  Waitt 

New  York  City.  Superintendent, 
Motive  Power  and  Rolling  Stock,  New 
York  Central  &  Hudson  River  R.R. 


1.  A  Godly,  praying  mother  and 
father,  poor,  but  ambitious  and  self- 
sacrificing  for  their  son.  An  educa- 
tion purchased  by  parent's  sacrifice. 
A  determination  to  be  at  the  top  of 
any  line  of  work  undertaken,  and  not 
to  attempt  things  for  which,  in  my 
opinion,  I  was  not  fitted.  Never 
governing  my  actions  toward  my  em- 
ployer by  my  own  convenience  or 
comfort.  Hard  work  and  keeping  at 
it.  Letting  others  know  that  I  am  in 
the  world  by  writing  and  speaking. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  It  depends  upon  the  make-up  of 
the  boy.  Some  will  make  a  failure 
anywhere. 

6.  No  general  rule  can  be  laid  down. 
For  some  types  the  city  would  do  more 
for  them,  others  better  remain  at 
home. 

7.  Not  if  he  can  get  an  opportunity 
to  do  something  for  which  he  is  better 
adapted. 

8.  Yes,  absolutely, 
g.  Yes. 

10.  He  can  make  a  greater  success 
from  all  points  of  view  if  he  loves  his 
work. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Ability  will  bring  experience; 
experience  comes  with  years. 

13.  If  possible.  It  is  not  essential 
to  success. 

14.  If  possible.    It  is  not  essential. 

15.  If  possible.  He  can  by  doing  so 
accomplish  more  in  shorter  time. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Sometimes.  An  immature  judg- 
ment is  not  a  safe  guide  in  such 
matters. 

18.  Either  a  trade  or  business;  pref- 
erably a  trade. 

19.  No  general  rule  can  be  followed. 
It  depends  on  the  make-up  of  the 
young  man. 

20.  Same  answer  as  19. 

21.  Lack  of  the  proper  make-up  to 
make  success.  It  may  be  lack  of  push, 


tact,   ability,  perseverance,   or  other 
essential  qualities. 

22.  The  Bible.  Pilgrim's  Progress 
(Bunyan).  Robinson  Crusoe  (Defoe). 
Two  Years  before  the  Mast  (Dana). 
Tales  from  Shakespeare  (Lamb).  Biog- 
raphies of  great  men. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Not  safe  to  lay  down  a  general 
rule.    It  must  depend  upon  the  boy. 

25.  When  you  start  in  business,  ab- 
sorb all  you  can  that  others  know, 
but  let  no  one  find  out  what  you  don't 
know.  Always  practice  the  Golden 
Rule.  Put  yourself  in  the  other  fel- 
low's place  before  rendering  a  judg- 
ment. Pay  as  you  go;  if  you  can't 
pay,  as  a  rule  don't  go. 


John  Schroers 


St.  Louis,  Mo.  President,  St.  Louis 
School  Board  and  Manager  The  Wesi- 
liche-Post. 


1.  Judgment,  enterprise,  and 
energy. 

2.  That  depends  on  the  boy  and  on 
the  nature  of  the  profession.  See 
*'  Remarks." 

3.  It  is  an  advantage. 

4.  That  depends  on  the  profession 
for  which  he  has  a  preference,  and  the 
boy's  character. 

6.  No. 

7.  Depends  on  the  character  of  the 
boy.    See  "  Remarks." 

8.  Yes.  In  the  long  run,  there  is 
no  more  indispensable  qualification. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes ;  so  far  as  the  highest  success 
is  concerned. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Everybody  must  take  a  first  step. 
He  is  bound  to  take  it,  if  it  is  the  first 
step,  without  previous  experience. 
He  may,  nevertheless,  be  able  to  make 
a  complete  success  of  even  the  first 
step. 

13.  College  education  is  a  very  good 
training  for  the  boy  who  intends  to 
enter  business. 

14.  Again,  that  depends  on  the  boy. 
There  are  some  boys  on  whom  a  col- 
lege education  would  be  wasted. 

15.  That  depends  on  the  boy  and 
depends  on  the  trade.  If  he  is  to  be  a 
shoemaker,  for  instance,  I  do  not 
know  that  any  technical  school  would 
benefit  him  much. 


3IO 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


i6.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  That  depends  entirely  on  the 
conditions.    See  "  Remarks." 

21.  Lack  of  application  and  fore- 
sight, and  lack  of  thrift. 

22.  That  depends  on  the  boy,  on  his 
schooling  and  his  position  in  life. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Depends  on  the  boy.  See  ' '  Re- 
marks." 

25.  Be  industrious,  frugal,  and. hon- 
est. 

Remarks.  Many  of  the  questions 
submitted  in  the  paper  could  be 
answered,  to  apply  to  any  particular 
boy  whose  circumstances,  schooling, 
and  qualifications  are  known,  but  can- 
not be  answered  profitably  in  the 
abstract. 


Alexander  H.  Revell 

Chicago,  111.  President,  Alexander 
H.  Revell  &  Co.  Member  of  Execu- 
tive Committee,  World's  Columbian 
Exposition.  Ex-President,  Union 
League  and  Marquette  Clubs.  Philan- 
thropist. 


Hon.  Richard  F.  Pettigrew 

Sioux  Falls,   So.   Dak.      Ex-United 
States  Senator. 


1.  Confidence  in  my  fellow-men 
and  hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  Boys  very  seldom  have  a  definite 
preference;  they  should  be  studied, 
and  their  best  elements  cultivated. 

5.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  Yes. 

8.  No. 
g.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Ability;  it  depends  upon  what 
success  is. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  No. 

17.  No. 

18.  I  don't  know. 

19.  Yes. 

21.  Want  of  training  and  bad  habits, 
and  discrimination  in  favor  of  favored 
competitors. 

22.  Read  biographies  of  the  best 
men  in  our  nation  and  the  world. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Never  use  alcohol.  Be  indus- 
trious; be  thorough;  master  the  de- 
tails of  your  calling. 


1.  (a)  A  strong  desire  to  succeed; 
(3)  close  application  to  business;  (c)  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  that  business; 
(d)  always  doing  what  I  agree  to  do. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessary. 

4.  No. 

5.  It  depends  on  the  boy;  if  smart 
and  bright,  yes. 

6.  No;  but  again  it  all  depends  on 
the  boy. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes,  until  success  is  achieved. 

10.  Not  necessarily. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Were  I  in  some  manner  com- 
pelled to  answer  this  question  by  ves 
or  no,  my  answer  would  be  no;  but 
generally  speaking  I  would  advise  each 
boy  to  get  all  the  education  he  can. 

14.  Same  as  above. 

15.  Yes,  if  he  can  go. 

16.  Yes,  by  all  means. 

17.  Some  boys,  yes;  others,  no. 

18.  Give  him  a  trade. 

19.  It  depends;  many  a  young  man 
is  a  success  while  working  for  others, 
but  when  foot-loose  becomes  a  failure; 
on  the  whole,  I  would  advise  him  to 
try  and  see  what  there  is  in  him. 

20.  No,  not  all  borrowed  that  is  re- 
quired. If  he  had  not  the  foresight 
and  ability  to  save  some  money  while 
acquiring  the  experience,  the  chances 
would  be  against  him. 

21.  Lack  of  application;  thought 
that  should  be  concentrated  on  one 
thing  is  dissipated  on  many,  including 
pleasures. 

22.  I  read  every  clean  book  I  could 
get  my  hands  on.  There  is  something 
good  in  every  such  book  if  the  reader 
has  the  ability  to  find  it. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  clean,  gentlemanly, 
prompt;  never  give  up  studying;  read 
clean  books;  obey  orders  of  superiors 
implicitly;  above  all,  be  a  success  in 
each  and  every  occupation,  no  mattei: 
how  humble  it  is. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  311 


John  Mitchell 


Indianapolis,  Ind.  President,  United 
Mine  Workers  of  America.  Second 
Vice-president,  American  Federation 
of  Labor. 


1.  Constant  application  to  my 
duties.  Concentration  of  effort  upon 
special  subjects. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessarily. 

4.  No. 

5.  No,  unless  lie  possesses  excep- 
tional ability. 

6.  No. 

7.  Ordinarily  agricultural  pursuits 
are  conducive  to  greatest  content- 
ment and  happiness,  and  boys  should 
be  encouraged  to  stay  on  the  farm. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  He  must,  at  least,  have  a  deep 
interest  in  it. 

11.  Experience. 

12.  In  no  great  degree. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Inexperience;  lack  of  application 
to  work;  intemperance. 

22.  Works  on  sociology,  political 
economy,  history,  religion. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  studious,  honest,  and  tem- 
perate, in  all  your  habits.  Respect 
and  honor  your  parents.  Be  respectful 
to  your  elders. 


General  Oliver  Otis  Howard 

U.  S.  Army.    (Retired.)   Burlington, 
Vt.     Author  and  lecturer. 


1.  (a)  An  inheritance  of  intrinsic 
energy  which  has  never  yet  abated. 
{d)  To  having  before  me  a  definite 
thing  to  accomplish,  (c)  An  educa- 
tion, including  the  classics  and  the 
college.  {d)  A  profession  —  and  to 
adorn  it.  (^)  To  do  something  beyond 
and  above  a  profession  iQ  the  interests 


of  my  fellow-men.  (/)  By  writing, 
speaking,  and  publishing  to  leave  some 
proper  record,  (g)  My  philosophy,  to 
make  somebody  nappier  every  day. 

2.  Yes,  by  and  by;  not  to  hasten 
his  choice;  climb  to  the  top  of  general 
knowledge,  then  choose. 

3.  No;  fitness  is  better.  Zeal  will 
follow  success. 

4.  A  boy's  wisdom  is  not  the  best; 
Washington  was  hindered  and  turned 
by  a  mother's  preference. 

5.  Change  may  be  well.  It  is  wise 
to  manage  to  keep  outside  of  the  great 
city. 

6.  It  will  be  better  every  way  for 
him  to  embrace  the  "  fair  business 
opportunities  "  and  bide  his  time. 

7.  Perhaps  the  discipline  of  the 
farm  is  just  what  the  boy  needs. 

8.  Yes,  of  course,  to  real  success. 
Dishonesty  is  perdition  regardless  of 
dollars. 

g.  Yes,  for  bodjr  and  soul. 

10.  Not  necessarily.  Love  for  your 
work  makes  it  easier  to  perform  it. 

11.  Cannot  tell.  They  must  be  con- 
joined. 

12.  Of  course,  ability;  must  be  ap- 
plied; that  makes  experience. 

13.  As  a  rule,  yes;  for  he  should  not 
be  a  business  drudge. 

14.  Yes,  if  he  can  afford  it.  Large 
general  knowledge  is  wholesome. 

15.  He  may  learn  something  of  the 
trade  first,  and  then  if  possible  take 
the  technical. 

16.  Yes,  by  all  means. 

17.  No,  not  force  him,  but  persuade 
him  that  a  good  general  education  is  a 
good  thing. 

18.  I  would  find  what  he  was  fit  for 
and  advise  him  to  do  that. 

19.  Yes,  at  first ;  later  he  could  select 
his  partners. 

20.  No,  not  as  a  rule.  He  could  risk 
it  if  he  secured  money  at  low  rates. 

21.  Not  keeping  down  the  expenses. 

22.  (i)  The  Bible  (Christ's  teach- 
ings). (2)  A  history  of  his  own  coun- 
try. (3)  The  World's  History  for 
Youth.  (4)  Some  good  poet  (Long- 
fellow, Whittier,  etc.).  (5)  Some  good 
novel  (such  as  Walter  Scott,  Ben  Hur, 
etc.).    (6)  Shakespeare. 

23.  Yes,  after  15  years  of  age. 

24.  It  is  well  for  society  to  have  it  so. 
Advice  however  should  be  specific  to 
the  individual. 

25.  (a)  Learn  to  be  your  own  master. 
(d)  Be  able  to  listen  as  well  as  to  talk. 
(c)  Develop  your  strength  gradually 


312 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


I 


of  body,  of  mind,  of  heart,  {d)  Be 
loyal  to  the  truth,  {e)  Keep  the  com- 
mandments. ( /)  Be  true  to  your  best 
instincts ;  and  go  to  good  men  and 
women  for  counsel.  {^)  Remember: 
"God  is  love,"  and  fail  not  in  loving- 
kindness. 


General  George  Lewis  Gillispie 

Washington,  D.  C.    Chief  of  Engi- 
neers, U.  S.  Army. 


1.  Constant  application  to  the  duty 
in  hand  for  a  period  of  forty  years, 
with  the  object  of  rising  to  higher  con- 
sideration of  my  superiors  by  faithful 
devotion  to  the  duty  and  by  doing 
more  than  orders  demanded.  I  was 
also  favored  by  the  fact  that  I  de- 
veloped early,  owing  to  Civil  War 
which  had  just  opened  when  I  gradu- 
ated at  West  Point.  The  following 
four  years  of  hard  work,  requiring 
great  mental  strain  were  golden  years 
to  me.    I  am  still  a  busy  man. 

2.  It  is  ^generally  held  preferable, 
and  may  be  so  accepted,  if  the  boy 
has  the  means  and  facilities  for  fitting 
himself  for  his  calling. 

3.  Not  necessarily.  Force  of  cir- 
cumstances may  compel  a  man  all  his 
life  to  do  the  things  he  least  enjoys, 
and  yet  he  may  be  called  a  successful 
man. 

4.  Force  should  seldom  be  used. 

5.  Great  success  in  life  is  seldom 
accomplished  without  competition 
with  the  most  alert  minds ;  a  condition 
not  obtaining  in  a  restricted  sphere. 

6.  The  boy  himself  will  quickly 
decide  this  question — his  ambition 
will  control. 

7.  No,  if  his  distaste  has  become 
morbid  and  his  ambition  is  apparently 
checked. 

8.  Absolutely  necessary;  no  suc- 
cess can  be  permanent  or  desirable 
without  it. 

9.  Absolutely  so;  but  the  mind 
must  not  be  misled  by  fortuitous  suc- 
cess in  finance  or  trade. 

10.  This  seems  a  cardinal  rule,  but 
we  know  of  cases  where  men  have 
been  successful  in  a  profession  origi- 
nally distasteful. 

11.  It  is  difficult  to  divorce  the  two, 
but  my  judgment  inclines  to  ability, 
which  enables  the  boy  to  grasp  the 
good  results  of  experience. 


12.  Yes;  I  have  known  several  in- 
stances of  this  kind,  but  it  is  influenced 
by  conditions  not  inherent  in  the  boy. 

13.  Yes,  if  he  goes  to  college  to 
learn.  He  must  have  a  definite  pur- 
pose beyond  the  objectionable  one  of 
passing  three  or  four  hours  in  idle 
pastimes. 

14.  No,  except  to  a  good  preparatory 
school  where  the  mind  can  be  suffi- 
ciently trained  to  thought,  and  where 
he  may  be  well  grounded  in  mathe- 
matics as  applied  to  mechanics. 

15.  It  is  not  necessary.  If  he  has 
the  time  and  money  to  spare,  a  train- 
ing in  a  technical  school  is  a  fortune 
in  itself,  no  matter  what  the  calling. 

16.  Yes,  decidedly. 

17.  Force  in  education  is  seldom 
advisable,  except  towards  a  perverse 
character.  A  promising  boy  can 
usually  be  reasoned  with,  and  many 
times  influenced  against  original  prej- 
udice. 

18.  Such  a  boy  can  only  make  a 
living ;  if  in  business  he  may  be  assisted 
and  pulled  along  by  his  associates. 

19.  No.  It  is  best  to  start  in  life 
with  well-chosen  companions;  after- 
wards, when  the  world  is  better  known 
and  the  methods  of  the  world  better 
studied,  a  separate  course  may  be 
adopted  to  advantage. 

20.  The  principle  here  is  the  same; 
the  young  man  can  have  little  experi- 
ence, and  time  is  an  essential  element; 
whether  he  has  the  money  or  borrows 
it  is  of  little  consequence. 

21.  Over  zeal  to  accomplish  results 
without  adequate  study  of  the  require- 
ments of  the  moment,  and  without 
patience  to  await  the  results  of  study 
and  persistent  work. 

22.  The  trade  or  profession  selected 
will  determine  the  books  to  be  read. 
They  should  be  by  the  best  writers, 
whom  the  world  holds  as  authorities. 

23.  Yes,  a  good  cosmopolitan  paper 
such  as  the  New  York  Evening'  Post^ 
supplemented  by  a  sound  and  reliable 
review  of  the  world's  current  events. 

24.  Yes,  there  is  always  the  advan- 
tage of  the  father's  good  name  to 
assist  the  son  until  he,  by  his  own  char- 
acter and  trustworthiness,  can  face 
the  world  and  command  its  respect. 

25.  That  the  greatest  happiness  in 
life  is  that  derived  from  personal  ef- 
fort, which  can  only  be  attained  by 
honesty,  energy,  and  justice,  and  con- 
sideration of  the  rights  and  feelings 
of  others. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  313 


Frank  B.  Conover 

Manager,  Coleman  House,  Asbury 
Park,  N.  J. 


good 


3« 
4- 

.5- 
6. 

7- 
8. 

9- 
10. 


13- 
14. 

IS- 
16. 

17- 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 

23. 
24. 

25- 
to  it. 


Hard  work  and  a  fair  amount  of 

luck. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

No. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

No. 

Ability. 

Yes. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

Yes. 

No. 

Business. 

Yes. 

Not  all  borrowed. 

Incapacity  and  lack  of  capital. 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Think  out  a  line  of  action,  stick 

and  don't  be  discouraged. 


L.  B.  Paxson 

Reading,  Pa.  Consulting  Mechani- 
cal Engineer,  Philadelphia  &  Reading 
Railway. 


1.  First,  to  the  teachings  of  a  pious 
mother,  forming  my  character;  and 
second,  as  an  employ^  of  a  railroad, 
to  steadfast  diligence  and  patient  toil. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes,  sir. 

4.  I  do  not;  "men  are  only  boys 
grown  tall,"  they  should  have  a  voice 
in  the  choice  of  occupation. 

5.  I  always  dread  to  see  a  boy 
exposed  to  the  vices  of  a  city. 

6.  I  would  advise  him  to  stay  at 
home  with  his  friends. 

7.  No. 

8.  Absolutely  so. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  They  are  handmaids;  if  he  has 
ability,  he  will  soon  acquire  experi- 
ence. 

12.  A  doubtful  problem. 


13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes,  if  he  wishes  success. 

17.  I  do  not. 

18.  I  think  he  would  succeed  best  at 
a  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  I  have  a  holy  horror  of  debt. 

21.  Want  of  character  and  lack  of 
business  qualifications. 

22.  I  would  name  the  Bible  as  the 
first. 

23.  It  will  do  him  no  harm,  if   he 
avoids  the  yellow  journals. 

24.  If  the  business  is  legitimate. 

25.  Avoid  all  vice  and  dissipation; 
honor  your  father  and  mother. 


OrlandoW.Al(lrich,Ph.D.,LL.D. 

Columbus,  Ohio.  Lawyer.  For- 
merly professor  of  law,  Illinois  Wes- 
leyan  University  and  Ohio  State  Uni- 
versity. President,  Worthington, 
Clintonville  &  Columbus  Street  R.  R. 
Author. 


1.  Continual  application ;  the  habit 
of  looking  at  all  things  from  a  practi- 
cal standpoint. 

2.  Most  decidedly. 

3.  To  full  success,  yes;  a  fair  de- 
gree of  success  may  be  had  without 
such  pronounced  preference. 

4.  No. 

6.  Not  usually,  until  he  had  shown 
his  ability  at  home. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  A  person  may  perhaps  be  fairly 
successful  without  a  love  for  the 
work,  if  versatile  and  diligent. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes,  as  experience  can  be  gained. 

13.  If  he  has  plenty  of  money  and 
time,  yes. 

14.  Would  prefer  a  technical  school. 

15.  If  he  is  financially  able. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Not  generally. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes,  if  he  found  a  good  opening. 

20.  Only  under  exceptional  circum- 
stances. 

21.  Lack  of  practical  foresight. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare. 

23.  Decidedly. 

?4.  If  satisfactory  to  him,  yes. 


3H 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


25.  Be  diligent,  act  with  strict  in- 
tegrity and  honor  upon  all  occasions. 
Be  courteous,  and  exercise  the  habit 
of  self-control.  Take  no  important 
step  rashly,  but  cultivate  the  habit  of 
self-reliance.  Assume  responsibility 
when  necessary. 


Ransom  S.  Fuller 

President,  Eastern  Steamship  Co., 
Boston,  Mass. 


Charles  E.  Adams 

Lowell,  Mass.    President,  Massachu- 
setts State  Board  of  Trade. 


1.  Whatever  success  I  may  have 
attained  has  been  by  hard  and  persis- 
tent work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  has  any  ambition. 

6.  Should  advise  commencing  his 
business  career  at  home  under  con- 
ditions named. 

7.  No. 

8.  Not  necessary  for  temporary 
financial  success,  but  for  permanent 
financial  and  best  results,  yes. 

9.  Yes,  without  any  qualification. 

10.  Not  absolutely  necessary,  but 
without  doubt  greater  attainments 
can  be  achieved  by  having  this  ad- 
vantage. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Conditions  of  25  years  ago,  yes. 
Conditions  of  to-day,  no,  without  al- 
liance can  be  made  with  some  strong 
house  already  established. 

20.  No. 

21.  The  principal  one  outside  of  per- 
sonal habits  is  the  failure  to  appre- 
ciate that  the  constant  change  of  com- 
mercial methods  must  be  followed 
and  adopted. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  if  it  is  well  established,  and 
he  has  a  preference  for  mercantile 
life.    If  otherwise  inclined,  no. 

25.  Remember  that  the  best  results 
can  only  be  obtained  in  business  or 
professional  life  through  aggressive, 
persistent  work,  combined  with  strict 
integrity, 


1.  Industry  and  good  habits 

2.  Not  always. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  No. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes.    If  large  salary,  no. 

21.  Bad  habits.    Poor  judgment. 

22.  "John  Halifax,  Gentleman,"  is  a 
good  book. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

Remarks.  Consider  carefully  be- 
fore making  up  your  mind,  then  do 
your  level  best  to  accomplish  what 
you  undertake;  be  kind  to  all;  never 
deviate  from  good  habits,  truth, 
square  dealing. 


William  Renwick  Riddell,  K.C. 

Toronto,  Ontario.     Lawyer. 


1.  Hard  work   and   habits  of    ac- 
curacy. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  if  he  can  work  and  wait. 

6.  Not  for  a  time;  let  him  find  his 
feet. 

7.  No. 

8.  To  make  money,  no.    For  what 
I  call  real  success,  yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Generally,  but  not  necessarily  so. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  Yes,  at  least  for  two  years. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  315 


18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  Yes. 

21.  Want  of  continuity  of  eflfort. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare.  (No 
others  are  sufficiently  far  above  one 
hundred  which  might  be  mentioned, 
to  deserve  special  mention.) 

23.  Yes,  a  paper  like  the  New  York 
Evening  Post. 

24.  As  a  rule,  yes. 

25.  Be  honest,  hard  working,  and 
accurate. 


Gardner  M.  Jones 

Salem,  Mass.  Librarian,  Salem 
Public  Library.  Ex-president,  Massa- 
chusetts Library  Club.  Treasurer, 
American  Library  Association. 
Author. 


1.  Hard  work,  sticking  to  business, 
and  at  the  right  moment  daring  to 
make  a  change  to  something  which 
better  suited  me. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessary,  but  a  great  aid. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

■    8.  Yes. 
9.  Yes. 

10.  Not  always  necessary. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  Yes,  if  possible. 

15.  Yes,  decidedly. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  It  depends  upon  the  boy;  most 
boys,  no. 

18.  Depends  on  the  boy  and  his 
environment. 

20.  No. 

22.  Different  boys  need  different 
books. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Stick  to  your  business;  don't 
get  discouraged;  seize  your  oppor- 
tunities. 

Remarks.  I  have  answered  the 
questions  on  general  principles.  Some 
of  them,  such  as  those  about  leaving 
home,  is  the  father's  business,  etc; 
might  be  modified  by  home  conditions. 
Sometimes  it  is  the  boy's  duty  to 
^sacrifice  himself  to  his  family. 


William  B.  Atkinson,  M.D. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  Editor,  Public 
Health.  Lecturer  on  diseases  of  chil- 
dren, Jefferson  Medical  College.  Pro- 
fessor, sanitary  science  and  pediatrics 
in  Medico-Chirurgical  College.  Secre- 
tary, Associated  Health  Authorities 
of  Pennsylvania.  For  35  years,  secre- 
tary, American  Medical  Association 
and  Medical  Society  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania.   Author. 


1.  Constant  application  and  the  en- 
couragement accorded  me  by  my 
father  who  had  great  reason  to  value 
an  education. 

2.  Most  positively. 

3.  As  a  rule  it  is  eminently  neces- 
sary. 

4.  Never.  I  have  examples  of  the 
bad  effect  of  this. 

5.  Certainly. 

6.  Then  he  should  remain  at  home. 

7.  Too  often  a  boy  imagines  he 
does  not  like  it. 

8.  Absolutely;  it  begets  confidence. 

9.  The  want  of  this  is  often  the 
cause  of  failure. 

10.  Not  necessarily;  still  it  is  better. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  I  do.    Know  of  instances. 

13.  While  he  may  do  well,  yet  a  col- 
lege course  unfits  him  for  business. 

14.  I  would  not. 

15.  No. 

16.  A  college  training  prepares  him 
for  a  profession. 

17.  A  self-willed  boy  is  apt  to  show 
its  bad  effects. 

18.  A  trade;  never  a  profession. 

19.  Certainly,  provided  he  has  ap- 
plication. 

20.  Not  unless  he  has  a  positive 
prospect  of  money  to  meet  the  loan. 

21.  Tendency  to  change,  thinking 
he  can  do  better  at  some  other  busi- 
ness. 

22.  Difficult  to  answer.  From  early 
boyhood  I  have  read  nearly  every- 
thing that  came  in  my  way.  A  first- 
class  encyclopedia  and  dictionary 
should  be  at  hand,  and  consulted 
whenever  he  met  with  matters  in 
which  he  was  ignorant. 

23.  Yes,  and  keep  out  of  politics 
which  makes  more  rascals  than  any- 
thing else. 

24.  Only  when  he  felt  a  decided 
preference  for  it. 

25.  Apply  yourselves  earnestly. 
Attend  to  business.    Do  not  speculate. 


3i6  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Orsen  G.  Staples 

Proprietor,  Rigg's  House,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  No. 

14.  No. 

15.  No. 
i6.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  No. 

20.  No. 


20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  energy  and  attention  to 
business. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Work,  work,  work.    Be  honest. 


William  R.  Moody 

Principal,  Mt.  Hermon  School, 
Northfield,  Mass.  Son  of  Dwight  L. 
Moody,  the  Evangelist. 


1.  The  work  in  which  I  am  en- 
gaged has  loyal  friends.  Whatever 
success  has  come  to  it  under  my  care 
is  to  be  attributed  to  God's  best 
gift  to  any  institution  —  loyal  friend- 
ship. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes,  to  success  in  the  true  sense. 

9.  Most  emphatically. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  This  would  be  a  question  re- 
garding his  age.  If  under  nineteen, 
yes;  if  over,  no. 

14.  Would  advise  a  technical  school 
or  scientific  course  in  college. 


15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No ;  depends  on  calibre  of  man. 

21.  Expensive  living. 

22.  Bible.  Depends  on  his  age  and 
tastes;  one  or  two  standard  works  of 
Dickens  or  Scott  or  Thackeray,  Tom 
Brown's  School  Days,  Coffin's  his- 
torical works  for  boys,  '*  Boys  of  '76," 
*'  Story  of  Liberty,'' etc. 

23.  No. 

25.  A  good  motto  for  a  boy  is  in 
the  words,  "Grace,  grit,  and  gump- 
tion." It  is  a  motto  needing  no  com- 
ment, and  if  made  the  rule  of  life  will 
bring  success. 

Remarks.  It  is  almost  impossible 
to  give  definite  answers  to  these 
questions.  The  more  I  know  of  boys 
the  less  emphatic  I  am  about  making 
general  rules  for  all,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  few  principles.  Every  boy 
is  a  problem  in  himself.  He  must  be 
studied  as  such,  and  to  treat  all  alike 
is  to  fail  entirely  in  discovering  the 
greatest  possibilities  in  the  individual 
case.  We  have  about  750  young  men 
and  boys  in  Mt.  Hermon  Boys'  School 
during  the  year,  and  each  man  has  to 
be  considered  on  his  own  personality. 


Isidor  Straus 

New  York  City.  Member  of  firm 
of  R.  H.  Macy  &  Co.,  New  York  City, 
and  Abraham  &  Straus,  Brooklyn. 
President,  Educational  Alliance. 
Capitalist  and  philanthropist. 


1.  By  such  conduct  as  gave  me  the 
confidence,  unstinted  and  unques- 
tioned, of  all  who  came  in  contact 
with  me  in  business  or  socially,  and 
by  impressing  those  whose  commer- 
cial and  financial  credit  was  needed 
with  the  faith  in  my  judgment  and 
discretion  as  never  to  question  the 
prudence  of  the  transaction,  whatever 
the  amount. 

2.  Yes,  if  you  are  convinced  that  it 
is  not  a  passing  whim. 

3.  No,  as  frequently  the  taste  of  a 
young  person  develops  "on  what  it 
feeds." 

4.  By  no  means. 

5.  That  depends  on  the  character 
of  the  boy;  I  should  only  consider  it 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  317 


advisable  if  he  had  shown  an  aptness 
which  distinctly  shows  him  fitted  for 
a  larger  field. 

6.  I  think  it  more  prudent  only 
after  he  had  become  convinced  that 
the  field  is  not  large  enough  for  his 
energy. 

7.  No,  provided  he  is  actuated  by 
an  ambition  and  fitness  which  demon- 
strates that  the  change  is  not 
prompted  by  frivolous  ideas. 

8.  Absolutely. 

9.  Yes,  in  99  cases  out  of  a  hun- 
dred. Genius,  when  associated  with 
others  who  supply  the  necessary  at- 
tention to  details,  is  an  exception. 

10.  Yes,  or  be  actuated  by  such  a 
sense  of  duty  as  to  amount  to  awaken- 
ing an  earnestness  equal  to  what  love 
produces. 

11.  Ability;  experience  fails  to  profit 
a  person  who  lacks  ability  of  appli- 
cation or  discernment. 

12.  Assuredly,  for  it  is  the  basis  on 
which  experience  alone  can  build  suc- 
cessfully. Experience  is  simply  a 
growth,  a  development. 

13.  Yes,  if  bread  winning  is  not  the 
most  pressing  and  important  problem 
which  confronts  him. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Most  assuredly. 

17.  Yes,  if  his  financial  position  be 
such  as  to  make  it  secondary  whether 
he  becomes  a  bread  winner  a  few  years 
sooner  or  later. 

18.  Until  he  can  be  imbued  with 
energy  or  have  awakened  within  him 
some  ambition  he  is  not  likely  to  suc- 
ceed in  anything. 

19.  That  depends  on  his  discretion 
and  judgment.  Many  excellent  em- 
ployees, who  command  good  salaries, 
are  utter  failures  as  masters.  They 
can  carry  out,  but  cannot  plan. 

20.  The  answer  to  this  is  covered  by 
my  last  answer. 

21.  Lack  of  judgment  and  discre- 
tion. Some  very  able,  economical, 
industrious,  and  painstaking  men  I 
have  known,  who  never  succeeded. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes,  unless  the  business  is  such 
in  character  that  it  in  reality  is  not  an 
honorable  calling. 

25.  Conduct  yourself  so  that  you 
command  the  respect  and  confidence 
of  all  who  know  you. 

Remarks.  Honorable  success  can- 
not be  achieved  without  certain  moral 
principles,  but  to  attempt  to  put  into 
words  '*  How  success  can  be  achieved  " 


is  misleading,  dangerous,  yes,  I  may 
say,  impossible.  I  have  never  known 
an  instance  when  it  was  attempted, 
but  I  have  some  one  in  mind  whose 
life  disproved  almost  every  attribute 
of  the  formula. 


A.  D.  Brown 


St.    Louis,    Mo.      Hamilton-Brown 
Shoe  Co. 


1.  Concentration  of  purjDose,  hard 
work,  and  regularity  of  habits. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No,  not  if  the  one  for  which  he 
has  preference  is  a  laudable  one. 

5.  If  he  has  ambition,  yes. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Most  assuredly. 

10.  I  do,  beyond  all  question. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  I  have  seen  it  done  frequently. 

13.  It  would  be  preferable,  but  not 
essential. 

14.  A  college  education  is  a  good 
thing  for  any  one  to  acquire,  if  they 
are  able  to  get  it. 

15.  Yes 

16.  It  would  be  better  if  he  did. 

17.  No.    It  would  do  him  little  good. 

18.  Generally  speaking,  a  boy  with- 
out ambition  will  not  make  much  of  a 
success  in  anything. 

19.  That  would  depend  upon  the 
prospects  before  him  in  his  position, 
and  the  opportunity  he  has  to  enter 
business. 

20.  A  young  man  of  good  health 
and  habits  need  not  be  afraid  to  bor- 
row money,  if  he  does  not  go  in  too 
heavily.  The  "scratching"  he  has 
to  do  to  pay  it  back  will  do  him  good. 

21.  Vacillation  and  carelessness. 

22.  Every  boy  should  read  the  Bible, 
the  Life  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  Life 
of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  If  his  tastes  run  that  way,  he 
ought  to  enter  and  improve  his  father's 
business. 

25.  Select  an  occupation,  stick  to  it, 
don't  touch  liquor,  tobacco,  or  cards; 
keep  away  from  fast  women;  attend 
church  and  Sunday  school;  eat  and 
sleep  regularly ;  work  hard. 


3i8 


The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Lucien  C.  Warner,  M.  D. 

New  York  City.  Warner  Brothers 
Co.,  corset  manufacturers.  Chair- 
man, International  Committee,  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  President,  Congregational 
Church  Building  Society.  Chairman 
Advisory  Committee,  Forward  Move- 
ment, A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  President, 
Hamilton  Bank  and  Home  Fire  Insur- 
ance Co. 


1.  To  industry  combined  with  a 
constant  sense  of  responsibility,  to 
always  preserving  a  teachable  frame 
of  mind,  to  good  judgment  acquired 
by  profiting  by  experience. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  always,  it  depends  on  gen- 
eral ability. 

4.  No. 

5.  It  depends  on  the  boy.  A  great 
majority  of  boys  who  come  to  the 
city  would  have  done  better  to  have 
remained  at  home. 

6.  Not  unless  he  feels  in  himself 
the  ambition  and  ability  for  great 
things. 

7.  No,  if  he  has  ambition  or  skill  in 
any  other  direction. 

8.  Yes,  no  permanent  business  can 
be  built  up  without  it. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  One  is  much  handicapped  if  he 
does  not  love  his  work,  but  he  may 
succeed. 

11.  Ability.  Some  people  never 
learn  from  experience. 

12.  Yes.  Some  people  are  success- 
ful from  the  first  before  they  acquire 
experience. 

13.  If  he  is  quick  in  his  studies,  yes. 
He  will  be  less  likely  to  become  a 
business  machine  and  will  get  more 
out  of  life. 

14.  Not  usually. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Decidedly,  yes. 

17.  Not  usually,  but  if  he  has  abil- 
ity to  profit  by  education,  a  little 
urging  might  do  him  good. 

18.  Such  a  boy  will  do  best  in  a 
trade,  where  he  works  under  the 
direction  of  others. 

19.  Yes,  if  he  has  ability,  so  that  he 
can  manage  a  business  wisely. 

20.  Not  unless  his  experience  has 
been  such  as  to  demonstrate  beyond 
doubt  that  he  has  money-making 
ability. 

21.  The  cause  of   failure   is  about 


equally  divided  between  the  lack  of 
good  judgment  and  the  lack  of  a  real 
sense  of  responsibility  in  caring  for 
and  pushing  the  business. 

23.  Yes,  a  good  paper,  but  much 
time  is  ordinarily  wasted  in  reading 
unprofitable  details  from  the  daily 
paper. 

24.  Yes,  if  the  business  is  prosper- 
ous or  he  has  the  ability  to  make  it 
prosperous. 

25.  If  you  would  succeed  in  greater 
things  put  your  best  efforts  into  the 
work  now  in  hand,  and  make  a  suc- 
cess of  that. 


Francis  C.  Moore 

New  York  City.    President,  Conti- 
nental Insurance  Company. 


2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  unless  he  has  means  of  sup- 
port until  he  gets  a  start. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  As  a  rule. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes;  he  will  never  make  the 
same  mistake  twice. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  "Kill  the  boy  and  raise  the 
calf." 

19.  Yes. 

20.  If  he  can  find  one  fool  enough  to 
lend  it. 

21.  Laziness. 

23.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare, 
Young's  Astronomy,  Kenelm  Chill- 
ingly, Lorna  Doone,  and  Gordon's 
epitaph  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral :  '*  Al- 
ways and  everywhere  he  gave  his 
strength  to  the  weak,  his  substance 
to  the  poor,  his  sympathy  to  the  suf- 
fering, and  his  heart  to  God." 

23.  Yes.  .-^^ 

24.  Yes,  if  it  is  a  good  one.  ~ 

25.  Be  honest,  brave,  polite,  indus- 
trious, studious,  patient;  swift  to 
hear,  slow  to  speak,  slow  to  wrath; 
and  let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your 
hearts. 


The  Voice  of  Distinguished  Experience  319 


Arthur  E.  Bostwick,  Ph.D. 

New  York.  Superintendent  of  Cir- 
culation, Astor,  Lenox,  and  Tilden 
Libraries  and  branches.  Formerly- 
Chief  Librarian,  New  York  Free  Cir- 
culating Library.  Associate  editor. 
Standard  Dictionary.  Editor,  Science 
Department,  Literary  Digest.  Ex- 
president,  New  York  Library  Club 
and  Long  Island  Library  Club.  Di- 
rector, Peoples'  University  Extension 
Society.    Author. 


1.  I  don't  consider  that  I  have  been 
particularly  successful. 

2.  Yes. 
3-  No. 

4.  No. 

5.  Yes,  for  business  success. 

6.  No. 

7.  Usually  not. 

8.  No,  unfortunately. 

9.  Usually. 

10.  Usually. 

11.  In  different  proportions,  de- 
pending on  the  occupations. 

12.  Rarely, 

13.  Not  from  a  purely  financial 
standpoint,  perhaps;  from  all  others, 
yes. 

14.  Same  as  above. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Depends. 

20.  Also  depends. 

22.  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Robinson 
Crusoe,  any  good  history  of  England, 
any  good  history  of  the  United 
States,  any  good  Ancient  history. 

23.  Not  one,  but  several.  To  stick 
to  one  paper  and  "swear  by"  it  is 
very  narrowing. 

24.  Yes. 


W.  K.  McFarlin 

Hoboken,  N.  J.  Chief  Engineer, 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  &  Western 
R.R. 


1.  To  beginning  at  the  work  I  liked 
best  and  keeping  at  it. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Yes. 

4.  No. 

5.  Depends  on  qualifications. 


6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Must  be  in  combination. 

12.  If  the  person  will  listen  in  the 
meantime  to  good  advice  it  may  be  all 
right. 

13.  Only  limited. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes  as  he  may  be  able. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  If  he  has  the  necessary  business 
judgment. 

20.  If  he  knows  what  he  is  doing, 
yes. 

21.  Lack  of  business  judgment. 
23.  Yes. 

25.  Work  to  the  interest  of  the  man 
who  employs  you. 

Remarks.  The  promotions  of  to- 
day come  first  to  the  man  who  above 
all  active  things  tries  to  make  his 
employer's  interest  his. 


A.  B.  Aylesworth,  K.  C. 

Toronto,  Ontario.    Lawyer. 


1.  Hard  work. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Probably. 

4.  No. 

5.  Not  necessarily. 

6.  No. 

7.  Not  unless  fit  for  it. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Experience,  if  properly  utilized. 

12.  Doubtful. 

13.  Yes, 

14.  Yes. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Living  too  expensively. 

22.  The  Bible,  Shakespeare,  Dickens. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  Be  industrious;  be  earnest;  be 
truthful;  and  don't  take  a  drink  dur- 
ing business  hours. 


3io  The  Boy  —  How  to  Help  Him  Succeed 


Hon.  Henry  B.  P.  Macfarland 

Washington,  D.  C.  President,  Board 
of  Commissioners  of  the  District  of 
Columbia. 


1.  The  favor  of  God,  giving  oppor- 
tunity after  suitable  education,  under 
the  stimulus  of  a  cheerful  but  urgent 
necessity,  to  do  work  that  I  had  liking 
and  ability  to  do  and  which  I  did  with 
my  might. 

2.  By  all  means. 

3.  No. 

4.  No. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 
10.  Yes. 
n.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Yes. 

14.  No. 

15.  Yes. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  A  trade. 

19.  Yes. 

22.  The  Bible,  Self  Culture  (Blackie), 
Sermons  (Phillips  Brooks),  Manliness 
of  Christ  (Hughes),  Friendship  (Hugh 
Black),  Self  Help  (Samuel  Smiles). 

23.  Yes. 

24.  Yes. 

25.  You  have  the  greatest  oppor- 
tunity boys  have  ever  had;  make  the 
most  of  them  by  the  grace  of  God. 
"  The  night  cometh  "  —  waste  no  time. 


William  L  Douglas 

Brockton,  Mass.    Shoe  manufacturer. 


I.  {a)  Being  a  thorough  practical 
shoemaker  with  an  ambition  to  be- 
come a  manufacturer,  {b)  A  perse- 
verance and  determination  to  succeed 
under  adverse  circumstances,  {c) 
Sticking  to  one  thing,  not  allowing 
myself  to  be  attracted  into  other 
businesses,  no  matter  how  alluring 
the  prospect  of  success,  {d)  Main- 
taining always  my  credit.  ((?)  Making 
honest  goods,  selling  by  one  method, 
and  persistently  letting  the  people 
know  I  have  good  goods  to  sell  at  a 
fair  price  bv  advertising  day  in  and 
day  out  through  good  times  and 
through  panic  times.    (/)  By  organ- 


izing my  business  as  it  grew  into  dis- 
tinct departments,  placing  capable 
men  in  charge  of  the  departments. 
Interfering  in  no  way  whatever  with 
the  conduct  of  the  various  depart- 
ments, holding  each  department  man- 
ager responsible,  judging  men  by 
results  only. 

2.  Yes. 

3.  Not  necessary;  but  unless  one 
is  ambitious  to  succeed  in  a  calling 
after  a  few  years'  experience  in  that 
calling  he  had  better  abandon  it. 

4.  No. 

5.  I  do  not  think  it  would  be  pru- 
dent for  a  country  boy  having  no 
opportunity  at  home  to  make  a  leap 
at  one  bound  from  the  farm  to  a  great 
city,  rather  would  advise  that  he  go 
to  some  place  affording  him  more 
opportunity  for  development  than  the 
farm,  a  small  city;  then  after  he  has 
developed  to  the  limit  of  the  oppor- 
tunity of  a  small  city,  he  should  go  to 
the  great  city,  or  wherever  his  oppor- 
tunities would  be  greater. 

6.  No. 

7.  No. 

8.  Yes. 

9.  Yes. 

10.  Yes. 

11.  Ability. 

12.  Yes. 

13.  Depends  upon  the  business.  If 
he  is  to  enter  the  book-keeping  busi- 
ness, or  business  of  a  character  where 
profound  learning  is  essential,  I  should 
advise  that  he  go  to  college.  In  ordi- 
nary business  I  do  not  think  college 
education  essential. 

14.  No. 

15.  He  no  doubt  would  be  a  better 
mechanic  should  he  attend  a  techni- 
cal school,  but  I  do  not  consider  it 
essential  that  he  attend  such  school. 

16.  Yes. 

17.  No. 

18.  Trade. 

19.  Yes. 

20.  No. 

21.  Lack  of  sufficient  capital. 

22.  The  Bible.  History  of  the 
United  States.  History  of  the  World. 
Biography  of  successful  men.  Some 
technical  books  pertaining  to  the 
business  or  occupation  he  is  engaged 
in  or  intends  to  enter.  Commercial 
Laws  and  Customs. 

23.  Yes. 

24.  No. 

25.  Be  honest,  faithful,  industrious, 
save  your  money. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
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OVERDUE. 


MAY  15  1934 


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